Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"

They replied, "The Lord needs it."

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, who whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace - but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

In contrast, Jesus' followers were ecstatic at his arrival in Jerusalem and could not contain their eager expectation. Having seen the miracles Jesus had performed, they believed he was about to reveal himself as the Messiah and release Israel form her enemies. Though the crowds failed to understand what sort of kingdom Jesus was bringing, their praise and rejoicing was not misplaced. Jesus refused to silence them when the Pharisees were offended at their show of enthusiastic support.

While he accepted their praises, Jesus was in a more somber mood. As he approached the city, he wept for it. In spite of the welcome he received from the crowds, people generally failed to recognize the time of God's visitation. A small chapel called Dominus Flevit - "Jesus wept" - has been built along the pathway down the Mount of Olives as a reminder of Jesus' grief and as a place for intercession that all might come to recognize their Messiah and savior.

For reflection

Imagine yourself in Jerusalem on that "first Palm Sunday." How do you think you would have responded to Jesus?

Prayer starter

Hosanna, Lord Jesus! I adore you as my king and Messiah! You are the savior of the world!