Matt. 21:1-9, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-38, and John 12:12-18 all give details of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem accompanied by shouts and people spreading palm branches. This almost sounds like there is going to be a coronation, at least to everyone but Jesus. As soon as he neared the city he had called two of his disciples and gave instruction to bring an animal to ride on.
He went into the Temple and drove the money changers and traders out proclaiming: My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves. The chief priest and elders of the people challenged his authority, but he defended himself and silenced them.
He spent time in teaching with parables, but his mind was stayed on the culminating event of this week, his own crucifixion and death. He directed the disciples in the preparation of the Last Supper and he came to the Garden to pray for strength and guidance.
Matthew's Gospel continually reminds us that these events were predicted by the prophets and they are integrated in our minds as fixed; there was no other outcome possible. Peter was severely rebuked by Jesus because he reproved Jesus for saying it. The end was in sight.
Peter drew a sword in defense of Jesus, but Jesus restrained him. "Put the sword in the sheath," he said."The cup my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" He knew the rest of the story. He had prayed that it might be otherwise, but the answer to the prayer was already settled. From the foundation of the earth it was settled. This was the time.
He went into the Temple and drove the money changers and traders out proclaiming: My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves. The chief priest and elders of the people challenged his authority, but he defended himself and silenced them.
He spent time in teaching with parables, but his mind was stayed on the culminating event of this week, his own crucifixion and death. He directed the disciples in the preparation of the Last Supper and he came to the Garden to pray for strength and guidance.
Matthew's Gospel continually reminds us that these events were predicted by the prophets and they are integrated in our minds as fixed; there was no other outcome possible. Peter was severely rebuked by Jesus because he reproved Jesus for saying it. The end was in sight.
Peter drew a sword in defense of Jesus, but Jesus restrained him. "Put the sword in the sheath," he said."The cup my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" He knew the rest of the story. He had prayed that it might be otherwise, but the answer to the prayer was already settled. From the foundation of the earth it was settled. This was the time.
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