The Judgement of Jerusalem

Today is Palm Sunday for Christians around the world. The day marks when Jesus came to Jerusalem and entered the city as the King. Many call this the 'Triumphal Entry.' I choose to call it the pathetic parade. You must not hear it as a pejorative, rather an indictment of the Romans, Sanhedrin, Pharisees, Sadducee, Pagan Religious Leaders, and Governors of the Region. The reception for the King of the Universe approaching Jerusalem was pathetic.

In those days, when a great leader came to town, the whole city (read political leaders, dignitaries, important families, and commoners) went out to meet this leader. It was a sign of peace and respect. Jesus did not disguise himself or deny his true identity. He accepted the worship of the people there to greet him and he told the Pharisees that all of creation came out to greet him that day. A play on words in Luke 19:40 as stones recognize their creator, but the hard hearted have just told Jesus to rebuke his disciples.

You can feel the excitement as Jesus crests the Mt of Olives and the crowd lets out a great cheer...the King is here. The question then becomes, where are the dignitaries, leaders, and rulers. The most telling line in the story is where Jesus looks from the Mt of Olives upon Jerusalem and weeps as he declares his wrath and judgment over the city (Luke 19:41-44)...and terrible judgment it is.

One of the problems I have with people's description of Jesus is of him as a revolutionary. Far from it, he is the King. We are the ones who have revolted against him. He has come in power and displayed his greatness by healing the blind, strengthening the cripple, controlling nature, and casting out demons. Yet, despite all of these signs confirming the authority of Jesus, "[Jerusalem] did not recognize the time of God's coming." There was no grand welcome of the King, only rebellious arrogance. In 70 AD, Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple was torn down...no stone was left on the other. By 412 AD, Rome was crumbling and the Church was growing at a supernatural pace. Judgment came to pass.