|
April 13, 2003 - Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, 'What are you doing?' say, 'The Master needs him, and will return him right away.'" They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, "What are you doing untying that colt?" The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted. The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out, Hosanna! He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve. [The Message] ======= 1. Do you ever feel you are getting one-sixth of the story, or less? Sending folks off in pairs is a standard operating procedure. Where do you suppose the other disciples were sent or did they all stay with Jesus? Transportation is an important point job. So is contacting the press. Was this where James and John were sent? So is contacting the authorities - standard non-violent protest process. I doubt if Peter were part of this team, but Judas might have contacts through this process. There would be a need to mobilize folks from the underground. Would this take a couple of teams since email virtual protests weren't a technological option then? Perhaps Peter would have been teamed with someone to get the food ordered. Or would that have still been the realm of a couple of the women disciples? 2. With the repetition, might this have been a praise song of its day? 3. What a hoot. All this hoop-la to get to the Temple and they arrive late. Seems like every political rally I've ever gone to starts late. Some folks always get tired and go home when it seems as if the fireworks aren't worth the wait. Had the money changers already packed up for the day and left? What to do, but retire for the night and come back with a smaller contingent the next day. At least it was a good parade, even if the numbers were under-reported in the next day's paper. |