Easter in Their Shoes: Peter

Welcome to Ephesus traveler. I am told you are just beginning your path in The Way and had questions at to how it all began. That story is long and complicated, and I cannot tell it to you in just one setting. I think John puts that if we were to write it all down, there would never be a book big enough. However, the first question you asked was about that last week in Jerusalem. Lord willing, I will be able to answer your question. Just note it might take a few sessions.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. The crowds were gathering in Jerusalem ahead of the Passover celebration the following week. Setting up the scene for what was to come.

We were heading there as well, although only Jesus knew the events that were about to take place. Now that I think about it, he had been preparing all of us for this week for months now, no one wanted to take the matter seriously, or we just brushed over it completely.

As we passed the tiny village of Bethphage near the Mount of Olives, Jesus told a few of us to go into the village and fetch a donkey and her colt that was tied up there. To ease their minds, He also told them that if anyone asks why they were “stealing” this colt to simply say “The Lord needs them.” Much to our surprise they returned later with said donkey and colt in tow. Jesus then proceeded to mount the colt. Some of us put our coats on the colt’s back to soften the ride.

Soon people started to realize what was happening, Jesus was coming into Jerusalem riding on a colt. It was like the prophet Zechariah had predicted. The King had finally come to deliver us and issue His kingdom, kicking the Romans out of the land for good. People started to cut palm branches and putting them on the path, so the donkeys did not have to walk on the ground. Others took off their coats and did the same.

What really shocked us as we were walking was the shouting. There were shouts of “Hosanna for the Son of David,” “Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord,” and “Praise God in highest Heaven!” They all thought Jesus was this kind of military King.

When the religious leaders heard the commotion, they approached Jesus and tried to get him to stop the crowds. They must have feared the Romans would think of this as rebellion and sweep in and crush us all. The reply Jesus gave them was nothing short of wonder. “If they kept quiet, the rocks along the road would cry out.”

As we approached Jerusalem, there is an outcropping that gives an amazing view of the city. When Jesus saw that view he started to tear up. There was something Jesus knew that we had yet to learn. This would be his last gaze upon this city from this viewpoint. Someone closer to Jesus later told me that he had been saying something troubling to me. Jerusalem would one day be a pile of rubble, all because the city had failed to take the opportunity that had been offered to them. This had not been the first time Jesus had predicted the future, but this had to be one of the darker ones. If I knew then what I know now that day was only the beginning of a week that would change my life in ways I am still trying to understand.

Well, I think that is enough of the story for one day. Perhaps if you are in the neighborhood again, I can fill in some of the questions you may still have about that week as I am sure there are many.