Jesus Arrives

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

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“Hosanna!
​‘​Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
​​The King of Israel!” John 12:12-13

Today begins Passover and Jesse our reporter on the scene has this news from Jerusalem:

"Large crowds gathered to welcome the man many say is the seed of David, the great king. Jesus of Nazareth arrived on a donkey's colt while the crowd laid palm branches before him in the tradition of welcoming a monarch. I don't know if you can make it out back in the studio, but the crowd is shouting, "Hosanna!" I believe they have proclaimed the man king of Israel. Herod probably won't like that, but the Romans may have a statement as well. Any news of them back at the studio, Joshua?"

"No, Jesse, from what we can see here, the Roman soldiers and officials at their headquarters in the Antonia fortress appear to be going about business as usual. Although my sources have said that they are beginning to wonder where everyone is today. It won't be long before they notice that crowd at the gates. Did Jesus bring his army with him?"

"I see about a dozen followers or disciples there, perhaps just eleven. With the crowd pressing close it's a bit hard to tell, Joshua, but there is no army here. I have a good view from the top of the wall, and there is no army encampment outside either. If the man has an army to challenge the Roman occupation, it is hidden too far away to save him on this day."

And so Jesus arrives, but not as a conqueror in the usual sense. The Romans probably took some time to notice what the crowd was all about. Their informers likely spoke of a traveling holy man who was the latest celebrity in town. Of course the elite in Jerusalem would reject our Lord to side with Herod. The priests would deny Him, and finally the people who had welcomed Him so enthusiastically would turn on Him just as quickly. So began what we call the Passion Week.

Mighty is the name of our Lord Jesus!
Bucky