Processional Gospel: Matthew 21:1-11. (GLORY)

1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:  5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,  Look, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
 “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”   (PRAISE)

Matthew ‘s gospel is unique in identifying Jesus as Son of David.  He does so to emphasize that Jesus has come to fulfill  the promise to Judah.  This one is to be the ruler whose reign shall not end until he has drawn all peoples to himself. That promise came way back in Genesis 49.

So this is not just any king who has ridden so humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus is Israel’s hope and more.

Yet even as our king entered Jerusalem in glory that day, the cross looms.  The people praise and honor him one minute and yet as they ask who this is, they answer: “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee”.  The “prophet” Jesus? An incomplete answer considering their initial praises.  They are nowhere near a full understanding of who Jesus is and what is the hope, and the victory, he brings.

Perhaps, on this day we also need to ask what our response to Jesus really is. We enjoy waving our palm branches in his praise. Yet do we, in fact, name Jesus king of our lives?  What changes do we need to make In our lives to really put Jesus in the position to rule over us, to be our guide and shepherd?