Entering Jerusalem

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!” John 12:9-19

Entering Jerusalem

Everyone was watching, shouting
pressing in towards the day's delight
the miracle worker, the teacher
humbly rising on a work animal.

The atmosphere was charged
electric with hope and anxiety
agendas and politics chashing
within and without the crowd.

One body presented for worship
the same hated and feared
the usurper of the status quo
the one who would ruin their good thing.

When the Holy encounters humanity
the whole earth quakes with fear
we know ourselves foolish and broken
never wanting to be revealed.