VIII.
Let’s return to our reading from Matthew. Read it again while also holding in your mind the images of Pilate’s entry into Jerusalem we read in the previous post.

IX.
Matthew 21:1-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

X.
Jesus is identified as a Rabbi (one who has disciples), a Prophet, and a King.

In regard to the Kingdom of God which Jesus heralds, what contrasts the most to you with the Kingdom of Caesar and Empire which Pilate and his procession herald?

Can you recall any “counter-cultural” aspects of the Kingdom Jesus speaks of? One such aspect might be, “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}