Abstract
God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord. Matthew 21:9
There is no Gospel episode that comes more readily to life than this. It was intended to appeal to the imagination, and across the years it does that still. We can almost see, with our mind’s eye, the figure on the donkey, drawing ever closer to the city, surrounded first by His disciples, and then increasingly by crowds, as word of His arrival got about; and we can almost hear the chattering of the spectators. . . .
‘Hi! Samuel – long time no see! So how are you? And how is Deborah? So what’s going on then down the road? WHO? Jesus! Yes, I’ve heard of him. A cousin of my next-door neighbour lives up in Capernaum, and says he owes a lot to Jesus – eye trouble put right in no time; and I’ve heard other stories too. They say he’s cured lepers, though I take that with a pinch of salt myself; and he’s supposed to drive out demons. He even made an honest man out of a tax-collector – down in Jericho, they say. He seems to have a way of putting things that people like. He makes things easier to understand; and he faces up to Pharisees and Sadducees and anybody else you care to mention, gives as good as he gets, or better! So THAT’S who’s at the centre of the crush!
Think I’ll go and have a look – you coming? Can’t see too much with all these branches waving in the way. Hello, he’s RIDING! He shouldn’t do that, should he? Isn’t it a rule that pilgrims to our holy city have to walk? Yes, I thought so. Only KINGS have any right to ride, I’m almost sure – and whatever else this Jesus may be, He’s certainly no king – a carpenter, I’ve heard, from Nazareth, before he started trailing up and down the country prophesying. Born in Bethlehem, you say? - well, that’s one up on Nazareth at least! I remember hearing in the synagogue one time that Bethlehem would be quite famous some day; though I can’t remember why!
GOOD GRIEF! He’s riding on a donkey – a little thing that’s hardly old enough to carry him. Not exactly Herod’s war-horse, is it? Still, he’s riding when he should be walking.
What’s that his followers are shouting? Can you make it out? ‘Blessed be the King!’- well, THEY’RE asking for trouble. ‘ Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord’ – is that what they’re chorusing? These are words connected with MESSIAH, aren’t they. Do you think these peasants think He’s the Messiah? They couldn’t – could they?
Wait a minute! Wasn’t there a verse in one of the old prophesies about Messiah coming up to Zion on a donkey? I can’t be positive; I sometimes doze off at the service, God forgive me! But there was something of the kind, I’ll swear. The Nazarene is acting out this prophesy! He’s got himself a donkey and he’s riding on it right into the city just to fit into the prophet’s words. Of course! That’s why he’s got a donkey, not a proper horse. He must be off his head! You don’t think there’s anything in it, do you? You know the proverb, ‘Can any good come out of Nazareth?’
Not Nazareth! Of course, it’s Bethlehem, you tell me. I wish I could remember what the Rabbi read about that place. . . . Hang on, it’s coming back to me – something about a ruler for Israel. That’s it!
Let’s walk along beside them for a bit – just to see what happens. He’s not exactly MY idea of a Messiah. I’ve always fancied someone who would run these Romans out of town and chase them back to Rome and give us back our pride and independence – someone like old Samson who knew how to use himself. Mind you the Rabbi at our synagogue – and he’s a wise old bird, although he often puts me to sleep - he tells me that I’m off the mark. He says that scripture teaches that Messiah will be much more like a prophet than a soldier; and that he will SUFFER for our sakes.
Could this young fellow fill that role? From all I’ve heard, he certainly has some things going for him. He has fresh ways of speaking about God. He always calls Him Father, so I’m told, and tells a lot of stories meant to teach folk that God loves them, even if they’re nothing special. Just the other day I heard of one about a shepherd searching in the wilderness for one lost sheep, trailing all over the place and going to all kinds of trouble just to rescue one stupid beast. Apparently he told that story and then said,’That’s what God is like when you’ve got lost’.
Step smart, my friend, we’re falling behind. Talk less and walk more! What ARE THEY UP TO NOW? They’re stripping off their cloaks and spreading them in front of Jesus’ donkey. They must be mad! Pure mob hysteria! . . .and yet. . .Well, I was going to say that I recognize a few of them and they’re not people I would call hysterical by nature. There’s Isaac, who’s an elder in our synagogue, a very solid, decent citizen – and Miriam, who does so much to help the poor, a bit like your Deborah. There must be something in this wild talk about Messiah, if folk like that are joining in the cheers. Is it conceivable, I wonder.
How do you feel about it, friend? Is that a fact? Strange happenings at his birth, you say; rumours and reports, anyway. Mind you, the Pharisees don’t like him. Look at that pair over there. If looks could kill, he would be writhing in the dust! Not that I set much store by their opinions. They strut too confidently for my taste. Anyway, they’re well outnumbered here. Just listen to the cheering – and see how big the crowd has grown! We couldn’t drop behind now if we wanted to; we’re hemmed in on all sides. We’re being swept along. It’s hard not to be caught up in the atmosphere. I’m not convinced, of course – but surely there’s no harm in joining in. HOSANNA! GLORY BE TO GOD! I just hope there are none of Herod’s spies around. Come on, join in. Let rip! BEHOLD THE KING! HOSANNA! It really feels quite like a coronation – as though this new young king was riding in to claim his crown.
I wonder what our Rabbi’s getting at when he goes on about Messiah suffering for us. There’s not much sign of suffering so far. He’s much more like a conquering hero than a suffering servant – and yet who knows just what’s ahead of him. He’s made a lot of powerful, determined enemies. He criticises far too many people of importance, from King Herod down – called him a fox, I heard. I wonder what they’ll do to him when he’s inside the city walls.
Of course, you’re right. If he really is Messiah, then they won’t be able to do anything! He’ll only have to lift a finger and he’ll have them on the run. . .unless, of course, this
I’m going to have to stop! I really can’t keep up this pace – but I believe he’s heading for his coronation. ‘GOD BLESS HIM WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! THIS IS THE PROPHET JESUS FROM NAZARETH IN GALILEE!’
I wonder what kind of crown he will choose.