Before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for his triumphal entry
into the city, he sends two disciples on ahead of him. He tells them they will find a tethered colt;
they are to untie it and bring it to Jesus because the Master has need of it.
Jesus’ disciples don’t understand how he can know this, but
they do as he says; they trust in his word completely, and act
accordingly. Perhaps, in the back of
their minds, they were hearing this passage from Genesis, chapter 49:
The scepter shall
never depart from Judah, nor the mace from between his feet, until tribute
comes to him, and he receives the people’s obedience. He tethers his donkey to the vine, his
donkey’s foal to the choicest stem. In
wine he washes his garments, his robe in the blood of grapes.
This donkey, which has never been ridden, has been set aside
for a special purpose: it is to carry
the Messiah into Jerusalem amid the acclamations of all the people, who greet
Jesus as a prophet. The crowds spread their cloaks (and leafy branches) on the road, calling out
Hosanna!, a word used to express
praise or adoration. In fact, the crowds
do everything but declare Jesus the
Messiah; they do, however, recognize him as extraordinary.
Let’s not forget that these same individuals will later cry
out: Crucify him! Yet only Jesus’ passion, death, and
resurrection will clarify his true mission for the early members of the
Church. His entry into Jerusalem marks
the beginning of the end of his long journey.
The donkey, for its part, will be returned to its owner, as
Jesus had promised.
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