They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Matthew 21:7-8 

According to the gospel of Matthew, crowds surrounded Jesus, as he entered Jerusalem. Singing and shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the heavens.”Matthew 21:9

Matthew tells us the  whole city was going wild. Strangers stopped to ask, “Who is this?” . . . Wondering, what all the commotion was about, and why so many people were thrilled, with Jesus’ arrival on a donkey. It is a compelling picture, etched into the memory of two thousand years of retelling. A city in turmoil, under occupation, all wondering, “Who is this Jesus?”

Palm Sunday is the day Jesus forges ahead with his  decision,  to  announce himself as God’s messiah. Then, to face whatever he will face in Jerusalem.

The first Palm Sunday, was momentous for the circle around Jesus. Being near the activity and presence of Jesus, was to know you were part of a historic event. One that would impact and shape your world.

The question of who was Jesus, and what was he about, was all consuming in the city. Ordinary people, religious scholars, even the highest levels of Jerusalem’s government were asking, “Who is this Jesus?” Feeling threatened, some in Jerusalem, feared his being there. Treachery, betrayal, an illegal trial in the middle of the night would turn the week, into horror. Chants of “Hosanna,” on Sunday would be silenced, replaced by other voices shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him.” Luke 23:21

Before the week was over, Jesus would be on a cross. Those who loved him most, wept in the bewilderment and trauma of it all. Asking themselves over and over again, what had gone wrong? In the numbness which followed, his friends would question everything they knew about Jesus. They would wonder what was true and what was not, searching through their tears for answers.

Today, it is still our question, “Who is this Jesus and What will we do with him?”

Teacher? Prophet? Healer? Wise one? Or Resurrected Savior?

“Who is this crucified and resurrected Jesus, who calls us to follow him?”

Following Jesus will send us out into a world of need, to be healers and lovers of all God’s children. Following will challenge our beliefs, test our values and cause us to reevaluate our priorities.

Palm Sunday is coming again.

What will you do about Jesus?