Who? What?

"saying, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!""  (Luke 19:38)

Have you ever been in a parade?  I have on several occasions.  I actually played in the high school band and have, in the years since, been "in the parade" for different reasons.  We all like to watch parades, too -- right?  Think of the Thanksgiving or New Year's Day parades with all the beautiful floats.  What about a "pick up" parade - where someone starts the parade and people just seem to join in?  Have you ever been in one?  Have you ever seen one?  I don't remember ever being in one or, when I think about it, even seeing one.

The Gospel reading, today, is a parade.  Jesus is entering Jerusalem with people participating in, and watching, the "parade" as it goes by.  There are a LOT Of people, doing both, from all over.  People are gathering for Passover, the Sabbath has ended and​ quite a few have figured out who Jesus is.   There are some, however, who would have come from other countries, or from other parts of the area, who would not have known not only who Jesus was they wouldn't have known anything about the ministry (and miracles) Jesus had been doing.   There would have been several reactions to what people were watching.....  The ones who were familiar with Scripture would have understood the importance of Jesus on a donkey - they would remember the Scripture reference.  There would also be some who would react like Nathanael when told Jesus came from Nazareth: "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" (John 1:46)

What is your reaction?  Where are you in the story?  Are you a part of the crowd but don't really know what is happening or why?  Are you some of Jesus' followers excited and joining in?  Can you answer​ who Jesus is and WHY you are shouting and waving palm branches?  Something to think about......