Last week of Jesus' Ministry
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Jesus' Triumphant Entry
The next day, as Jesus came near to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples on a mission.
He told them to go in a nearby village where they would find a donkey:
If anyone asks what you are doing with the donkey, just tell them that the Lord has need of him and will send him back very shortly.
This happened as was prophesied:
Tell the daughter of Zion (poetical name for the city of Jerusalem):
Look, your King comes to you, meek, and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.
The two disciples left and did as Jesus had commanded.
They brought the animals to Jesus and put their coats on the back of the colt, where Jesus sat.
A multitude came to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took the branches from palm trees and went to meet him.
When they saw Jesus coming, they began to cry out:
Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel.
The Pharisees, seeing this, said among themselves:
We cannot stop this man. The world has gone after him.
As Jesus went to Jerusalem riding on the back of the colt of a donkey, people spread their garments and branches in his path.
As he approached the foot of the Mount of Olives, all his disciples rejoice and praised God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen.
The multitude cried:
Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
But some of the Pharisees who were in the multitude came to Jesus and told him to rebuke his disciples.
Jesus said to them:
I tell you that if they keep silent, the stones will cry out.
When Jesus came near Jerusalem, he wept over it, saying:
If you had know what this day might have meant. But now it is hidden from your eyes.
Then Jesus said:
The day is coming when they will encircle you with embankments and keep you surrounded from every side.
Jerusalem will be dashed to the ground, and her children with her.
They will not leave one stone upon another because you didn’t realize that you have been given a special period of grace.
Jesus entered the temple of God. The blind came into the temple and he restored their sight.
But when the chief priest and scribes saw the wonderful thingsthat he did, and they heard the children in the temple who were crying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were displeased.
They said to Jesus:
Don’t you hear what they are saying?
Jesus answered:
Haven’t you read, Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have prepared praise?
It was sunset. Jesus inspected the temple and left for Bethany, where he and his 12 disciples would spend the night.