My Walk Through the Book of Mark by Annette Godtland

The Triumphal Entry (Mark 11:1-11)

1Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."

4So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?"

6And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'
10Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"

11And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

I love the celebration and praise finally expressed in this story! It seems like it is about time people started to understand Who they had with them. But what surprises me as I read it this time, is the fact that it isn't something that the people just came up with on their own. There were other times the people would have tried placing Jesus in an exalted position, but Jesus wouldn't allow it. This was planned and preordained by God. By arranging to ride in on a colt that had never been used before, He was for the first time claiming his holiness and kingship in a way the people would have expected. The right time had finally come, Jesus allowed it, and the people celebrated it.

Another thing that catches my attention because it is right after the story of Jesus healing Bartemeaus, are the references to David. It makes me wonder if the celebration may have been lead by Bartimeaus who called Jesus the Son of David. Bartimeaus who was blind but could now see, probably saw much more than others. Bartimeaus who at the end of his story followed Jesus on the road. I would be willing to bet that he was one of those in this crowd praising Jesus. And I wouldn't be surprised if he lead the celebration.

Why did Jesus allow this celebration, in fact make it happen, when he seemed to avoid that sort of thing up until now? He knew he was approaching his suffering and death. A celebration was probably the last thing he felt like doing. It may be that he allowed it in order to fulfill prophesy. It may be that he allowed it to set the scene for facing the religious leaders who would accuse him of blasphemy. But I also think it was to allow His followers at least one chance to praise Him before his death. I would have hated to be someone who finally realized who He was, had been in His presence, but never had a chance to say anything. The suffering and death that Jesus had to go through was awful. The guilt of the people who knew Jesus must have been awful too. But at least this once they had had a chance to glorify Him. I think this celebration was as much for His followers as it was for Jesus.

And upon the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple. You can tell by the tone of the text that after looking around, Jesus saw much that was to be done, but it would have to wait for another day.