Lesson #17 The Triumphal Entry

(Matthew 21: 1 46)

Lesson #16 began with Discourse #4, the Charge and Authority of the Church (E) and it continued the heros journey motif as Jesus left Galilee and headed toward Jerusalem and the cross (D), his final test. As the heros journey continued, Jesus probed ever-deeper into what it means to be the Messiah, the Son of Godfor him, for his disciples, and by implication, for us.

In Lesson #17 Jesus and his disciples, followed by a huge crowd, ascend the old Roman Road from Jericho (900 below sea level) to Jerusalem (2,500above sea level). As he summits the Mount of Olives, Jesus enters Jerusalem on the most crowded day of the year, the beginning of Passover, A.D. 32 the largest of three annual pilgrimage festivals, during which the population of Jerusalem swells from 100,000 to 1,000,000 people. Jesus enters Jerusalem, not as a humble servant, but as a king to the cheers of thousands: Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest! (21: 9). At a time of escalating political tension; at a time of mounting religious turbulence; at a time of civil terrorismJesus actions are utterly incendiary. And then he lights a match.

Old Roman Road Mt. of Olives

Bethphage/Bethany

Jericho

Jerusalem

From Jericho the old Roman Road ascends 3,400 feet in elevation to Jerusalem.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

The road clings to the southern wall of the Wadi Qelt.

Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Near the top, the 4th-century St. Georges monastery clings to the northern wall.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Todays view from the top of the Mt. of Olives, with the golden Dome of the Rock, 3rd holiest site in Islam, where the Jewish Temple stood in Jesus day.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

The Temple in Jesus day, as he would have seen it from the Mt. of Olives. (1.50 scale model of 1st-century Jerusalem, Israel Museum.)
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Palm Sunday road

Walking down the Palm Sunday road, the path that Jesus walked as he entered Jerusalem on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden, to the cheers of the crowd.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

To the left (on the way down) is a vast 3,000-year old Jewish cemetery.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Southern Steps

Southern steps of the Temple where the money changers and merchants were located and where Jesus taught.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Mt. of Olives

Dr. Creasy taught on the Southern Steps, too! (Mt. of Olives at the top left.)
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Caesarea Maritima

Jerusalem

Giotto. Pontius Pilate, detail from Mocking Christ (fresco), 1305. Scrovegni Chapel (south wall), Padua, Veneto, Italy.

Caesarea Maritima, residence of Pontius Pilate and a portion of the 10th Roman Legion.
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Archaeological remains of Herods palace, residence of Pontius Pilate.

Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Remains of the palaces freshwater swimming pool and mosaic flooring.

Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Caesarea Maritima

Joppa

Jerusalem

Antonia Fortress Royal Portico

Southern Steps Eastern Wall Golden Gate

Temple

The Temple in Jesus day.

(1.50 scale model of 1st-century Jerusalem, Israel Museum.)
Photography by Ana Maria Vargas

Pietro Lorenzetti. Jesus Entry into Jerusalem (fresco), 1380. Basilica of San Francisco de Assisi (southern transept), Assisi Perugia, Italy.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

Fig tree in early spring.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

Fig tree just beginning to bud.

1. Is there any evidence in Matthew to suggest that Jesus staged his entry into Jerusalem? 2. What connotations does Jesus, of Nazareth carry? 3. Given the very public nature of Jesus arrival, what might the Roman and Jewish authorities have thought? 4. What did Jesus hope to accomplish by cleansing the Temple? 5. How would you describe Jesus attitude toward the religious leaders in Jerusalem?

Copyright 2014 by William C. Creasy

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