The gospel lectionary reading for Palm Sunday in Year A is Matthew 21.1–11. It offers a distinct change of pace from the passages from the Fourth Gospel we have been exploring in the past few weeks. How do Matthew’s distinct emphases help us understand this story?
John James and Ian as they explore the text and engage with its significance.
For a written exploration, see https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/palm-sunday-in-matthew-21/
After the crowd, like locusts, had ascended into Jerusalem the devastation to all the trees must have been awesome. It must have been easy to pick three ravished trees for some utilitarian function a few days later. Is it ironic that Jesus became the branch and leaves nailed back on the tree?
Members of the crowd now publicly acknowledge what was once Divinely revealed to Peter (Matt. 16:16) :
That Jesus is the Messiah (Son of David).
Yes, just like the slave girl in Acts . One doesn’t need to endorse everyone who spouts truth.
Did Jesus endorse the crowds of Matthew 21:8-11? At least some of them :
” About Jesus of Nazareth. He was a man, a prophet who spoke powerfully and performed great miracles before God and all the people. But our high priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they had him crucified. But we were hoping that he was the one who was going to rescue Israel and restore Israel.”
Cleopas : Luke 24:19-21a.
They were Nationalist mostly. Like Christian zealots today. Highly moral, devoted, passionate. Willing to draw down fire in God’s name. The heady atmosphere must have motivated Judas to give Jesus a nudge.
Yes, Steve. I don’t think any human being (apart from Jesus) really adequately, understood the concept of Messiahship, until after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Arent the prayers of the saints mixed with the fire thrown down on the earth from a bowl in Revelation?!
PC1.1
I’ve upgraded you.
Perhaps people get what they pray for in the end?
cant wait for v1.2
Yes. People get what they wish for.