Matthew 21:1-11
1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
They Crucified Him Between Two Thieves
Holy week starts with Palm Sunday, where we see Jesus fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, entering the town of Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The crowd proclaims, "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest" Matthew 21:9. He is a meek, humble and peaceful King.
Just after the sign He performed in Bethany, bringing Lazarus back to life, Jesus is acclaimed as the One who comes in the Name of the Lord. He is the almighty Christ, master of life overcoming death.
A few days later, His faithful friends Martha and Mary offer a banquet in His honor. Many people attend so that they can see Jesus and Lazarus, whom He brought back to earthly life. Many believe in Him, and the religious leaders decide to kill both, Jesus and Lazarus. The Gospel in Matthew 21 tells us what happens next, inviting us to reflect on Jesus' last week on our earth. Palm Sunday is proclaimed with great enthusiasm.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Jesus and His disciples spend their time in the town of Ephraim, 29 miles north of Jerusalem, preparing for the special days to come. Is it a retreat that Jesus wants to live with His disciples? Maundy Thursday brings the Last Supper, the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. On Friday, Jesus is arrested and tried at the High Priest's house. He is condemned because He claims to be "The Son of God," Luke 22:70.
Jesus is brought to Pilate to reiterate and order the execution of the sentence. Pilate yields to their demands and uses the pretext of Him being a king who opposes Caesar as justification for His crucifixion. Jesus carries the cross, brought to Calvary, where He is crucified between two thieves. Jesus prays, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" Luke 23:34. The thief on the left challenges Jesus, while the thief on the right refutes his accomplice's claims. He believes in Jesus' innocence, expressing repentance by asking Jesus to remember him in His kingdom, Luke 23:42.
Jesus is stabbed with a spear, and blood and water flow from His side, and He breathes His last. Jesus is brought down from the cross. His Mother and her sisters, together with Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, prepare for Jesus' burial, John 19:38-42.
The last words of Jesus on the Cross to His mother and John remain an initiation for us to renew our faith and faithfulness to Him, "This is your mother;....this is your son." He reminds us to love Mary as Jesus did, and to love Jesus as Mary did.
Another last word of Jesus on the Cross remains accurate, "I am thirsty."
Follow Jesus in His last days on earth with the right thief, with His mother, her sister Mary, John, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and the women who follow Him from Galilee. Do your best to offer him a sip of water. He still needs it today.
Blessed Holy Week. Blessed are those who carry their cross and follow Jesus.
