Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples. He goes first.
Somewhere on the way, near to Bethphage and Bethany, he gives two of his disciples some instructions. These instructions are so clear and precise that they can be followed easily.
However, it is surprising that the disciples don’t ask the what-if question.
It turns out that neither the disciples nor the owners of the colt they had to bring to Jesus, when told that the Lord needed it, bring up any objections. If they did bring objections or ask further questions, they were not recorded – and hence most likely considered as not being important.

The two locations mentioned are Bethphage and Bethany. Bethphage is about halfway between Jerusalem and Bethany. The place name of Bethany sounds familiar – is this the same location where Mary, Martha and Lazarus live? So, maybe Jesus knew the owners of the colt? If they were indeed his friends, they would have known that it was Jesus who was asking for the colt.

The disciples did what he asked for. Once they have brought the colt to Jesus, they throw their own garments on the back of the animal.
Jesus enters Jerusalem on this young donkey. He doesn’t arrive as a warrior on a horse to subdue the people but rather as an ordinary person, and yet a messenger of peace.

How did the people recognise him as the King of Peace? He didn’t come on a horse; he came on a colt. He wasn’t wearing royal clothes – he was riding a donkey on which his friends had thrown their most likely ordinary garments.
The people had seen the mighty works Jesus had done. They rejoice and praise God when they see him: ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’

We just heard that the colt was taken because the Lord needed it. Now we hear about the king who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Lord is mentioned again in the Reading from Isaiah. This passage seems to describe Jesus at his interrogation. The way Jesus was treated when captured seems to be in fulfilment of the Scriptures. “The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults.” Isaiah shows the trust in the Lord – despite mistreatment.

Paul praises Jesus’ humility. He explains in the Letter to the Philippians how Jesus humbled himself and became man.
Jesus didn’t pride himself to be the Son of God. Jesus didn’t claim that he was the Lord. It is God who raised him up so that we can recognise Jesus Christ as Lord and show him our respect.

Jesus is the Son of God and Lord. However, Jesus accepted the mocking and torture that was afflicted on him. He was praised for his miracles – and yet, it is often forgotten that the last miracle before his death was to heal the soldier whose ear was cut off by Peter. The same soldier who arrested him shortly afterwards.
In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus prayed before the arrest, and then healed his enemy, accepted the injustice against him – and always fully trusted God, His Father in whose hands he commits his spirit.

This acceptance of suffering is often seen as a Christian call to accept injustices. However, we should not forget how often Jesus addressed injustices against others. Through his teachings and acts of healing and compassion, he demonstrated his concern for the suffering and marginalised. He healed lepers, restored sight to the blind, and comforted those in distress.
Even in his own suffering, he asked God: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me.”
Jesus challenged human authorities, and he asked God to spare him of the suffering, but ultimately, he trusted God and God’s plans as he taught us in the Lord’s Prayer: “your will be done”.

Maybe this is a call to do our utmost to be there for others and to stand up against injustices, but that we should never cede trusting in God’s abundant love for us.

BM