This is also a unique moment, because it is both spontaneous and orchestrated. Jesus has gone to a great deal of trouble to make certain preparations so that others may later testify as to how He fulfilled certain signs. Close by the Mount of Olives, a donkey’s colt waits for the Lord. Zechariah has been patiently holding the donkey’s bridle for over 500 years, ready to hand him over in exchange for the password: “The Lord has need of him.”
As the crowd winds up the mountain, they move through the Songs of Ascent (the traditional Psalms pilgrims sang and recited as they made this trip). Someone realizes just how alive the words really are in this moment and sings out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
The Pharisees are alarmed. “Are you nuts?!” they exclaim. “We’ve been talking in code about the Messiah for over 500 years for a reason – it’s called survival. Do you really want to talk about Jewish Kings in front of the Romans during a high holy day? Do you want to start a riot? Tell your disciples to shut up!”
Jesus, however, knows that this is a sign that must be fulfilled. Praise must be given.
Laughing because it feels good to see the Word of God fulfilled, Jesus says, “I tell you if these kept their peace the very stones would cry out.”
It is the briefest of joyful moments. As they make their way around a bend, Jerusalem leaps into view. But standing by the road in rags, Jeremiah beckons to Jesus, weeping for what was and is about to be lost.
“So, here we are again Jerusalem,” says Jesus. “There was a time when shepherds with their flocks came against you and pitched their tents around you. They cut down your trees and cast up a siege mound. And now? Déjà vu. For the days shall come that thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee and compass thee on every side.”
This has to be one of the most bittersweet moments of Jesus’ life. On the one hand, He is riding the triumphant crest of fulfilled prophecy all the way up the mountain – but He is going to an end that will come as a huge surprise to everyone (except Himself).
Jesus knows His death is imminent, but He is not feeling sorry for Himself. Instead, He weeps for what awaits Jerusalem. All around Him, His disciples and the crowd are caught up in the joy of Passover and the enthusiasm of something and Someone new – could this be The Messiah?
Jesus grieves for the nation of Israel because He knows that what Jeremiah testified to – the near extermination of the Jewish people – will pale in comparison to what is coming. The Romans are here, and they don’t want another King. Come to think of it, neither do the Jews. It is one of the few things they can agree on – that and their willingness to use murder to maintain the status quo.
