Palm Sunday Walk Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Four Gospel Accounts of Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Read Mark 11:1-11 Read Matthew 21:1-11 Read Luke 19:29-44 Read John 12:12-19 What similarities and differences do you notice in each of the gospels telling of this story?

Mark 11:1-11 Mark 11:1-11 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3 If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' just say this, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" 4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5 some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" 6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Two Processions into Jerusalem Central Conflict of Holy Week From the east – a peasant procession, Jesus riding on a donkey down the Mount of Olives Procession proclaimed kingdom of God From the west – Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor entered at the head of a column of imperial cavalry and soldiers Procession proclaimed power of empire

Jesus Counter Procession-Messianic Demonstration Read Zechariah 9:9-10 which Matthew quotes Read Psalm 118:25-26 Why might Jesus procession in Jerusalem be seen as a counter procession to Pilates Imperial procession? What message does Jesus procession proclaim? What images, sounds, smells come to mind to you as you read about Jesus entry into Jerusalem as described in the gospels? How might the sights, sounds, smells have been different than Pilates procession?

Staying in Bethany, Jesus walked to Jerusalem through Bethpage on the slopes of the Mount of Olives to the Lions Gate of Jerusalem

Since the early 12th Century an annual Holy Week procession has started at Bethpage on the Mount of Olives. Today the walk begins at a Franciscan Chapel that contains the mounting Stone of Christ, mentioned by the earliest pilgrims as being the stone Christ used when mounting the donkey

Jewish Cemeteries Many Jews wish to be buried on the Mount of Olives so as to be close to the Valley of Joshaphat, where according to the Book of Zechariah, God will start to redeem the dead when the Messiah returns on the Day of Judgment.

There are over 150,000 people buried here There are over 150,000 people buried here. This is one of the world’s oldest continually used cemetery.

Mourners come and place rocks on the graves to remember the people who have died

Golden Gate There are eight gates that surround the Old City Jerusalem Golden Gate There are eight gates that surround the Old City Jerusalem. Muslim tradition that says a destroying conqueror will one day enter the city through the Golden Gate, thus the gate is blocked and is guarded by a cemetery. Jews believe that the Messiah will enter Jerusalem from here. Christians believe this gate marks where Jesus entered the Temple Mount

The idea of Jesus riding a donkey not only marked Jesus ‘humility but also pointed to His kingly position. 1 Kings 1:33-38 tell that when King David was dying he commanded his son Solomon to be brought on the kings’ own mule to Gihon to be anointed