Matthew 21:1-13 | Psalm 118:26-29 | Gospels in Lent Track: John 13-14
Jesus has certainly been to Jerusalem before, but this is the first trip mentioned in Matthew.1 And what a way to enter! People take notice.
He wastes no time in entering the temple and clearing things out. There have been times when Jesus didn’t want people to know about what he is doing. This final time in Jerusalem isn’t one of them.
Matthew 21:1-13
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.
Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Then Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those who were selling and buying there. He pushed over the tables used for currency exchange and the chairs of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It’s written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you’ve made it a hideout for crooks.”
Psalm 118:26-29
The one who enters in the Lord’s name is blessed;
we bless all of you from the Lord’s house.
The Lord is God!
He has shined a light on us!
So lead the festival offering with ropes
all the way to the horns of the altar.[d]
You are my God—I will give thanks to you!
You are my God—I will lift you up high!
Give thanks to the Lord because he is good,
because his faithful love lasts forever.
Prayer
Thank you for a new day. Give me your Spirit. Make it my breath.
I was wondering about Jesus and his decision-making. It seems like sometimes he doesn’t want commotion, to be noticed, or even to speak at all. Other times - like going into Jerusalem on a donkey, tossing things around in the temple, or feeding thousands with barely anything at all - it’s like he’s making a point to be noticed.
I don’t know exactly how he decides when to act out and when to withdraw, but God give me the same discernment.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Luke mentions Jesus being in Jerusalem as a 12 year old and John a number of times for Jewish festivals. It is likely as a Jew, he made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem multiple times a year. But here in Matthew, this is the first and only time mentioned.