- From The Messiah,
by Ann Weems
He approached the towns of Bethphage and Bethany, which are near Mount Olivet. He sent two of the disciples ahead. Go to the next village. When you enter, you will find a colt tied—a colt that has never been ridden before. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you why you’re untying it, just say, “The Lord needs it.” So the two disciples found things just as He had told them. When its owners did indeed ask why they were untying the colt, the disciples answered as they had been instructed. The Lord needs it. They brought the colt to Jesus, threw their coats on the colt’s back, and then sat Jesus on it. As Jesus rode along, some people began to spread their garments on the road as a carpet. When they passed the crest of Mount Olivet and began descending toward Jerusalem, a huge crowd of disciples began to celebrate and praise God with loud shouts, glorifying God for the mighty works they had witnessed. The King who comes in the name of the Eternal One is blessed! Peace in heaven! Glory in the highest! Pharisees (who were in the crowd): Teacher, tell these people to stop making these wild claims and acting this way! Listen—if they were silent, the very rocks would start to shout! When Jerusalem came into view, He looked intently at the city and began to weep. How I wish you knew today what would bring peace! But you can’t see. Days will come when your enemies will build up a siege ramp, and you will be surrounded and contained on every side. Your enemies will smash you into rubble and not leave one stone standing on another, and they will cut your children down too, because you did not recognize the day when God’s Anointed One visited you.