Palm Sunday The Big Procession

Palm Sunday The Big Procession-1 The city of Jerusalem was seething with people. Jews from near and far were arriving for the week long Passover festival. Just when it seemed that the narrow streets could hold no more fresh batches of pilgrims surged in.
Palm Sunday The Big Procession-2 The city was buzzing with the latest story about Jesus. He had actually brought back to life a man who had been dead and buried for four days. As soon as news arrived that Jesus was on his way, an excited crowd set off to meet him. Jesus and his disciples had come as far as Bethany.
Palm Sunday The Big Procession-3 Go into the village Jesus told two of his disciples. Bring me the young donkey you'll find tied up near his mother. If anyone asks what you are up to tell them that the Master needs him and soon send him back. 
Palm Sunday The Big Procession 4 The disciples did as Jesus said When the bystanders heard that it was Jesus who wanted the donkey they gladly let him go. When they had brought him to Jesus the disciples spread their coats on the donkey's back to make  a saddle. The donkey was not frightened when Jesus climbed onto his back even though no one had ever ridden him before. He stepped proudly forward and the pilgrims who had journeyed with Jesus began to jostle and  cheer as they all as they  began the steep climb into the city.
Palm Sunday The Big Procession 5 Long ago the prophet Zechariah had foretold that one day the true King would come not galloping on a  war horse but riding a peaceful donkey. Jesus was showing all who had eyes to see that he was that King entering  his capital  in peace. The crowd from Jerusalem hurried down to join the new arrival and the whole huge procession moved  forward again with cheers and shouts. Some went ahead and threw down their cloaks to make a royal road for Jesus. Others stripped branches from the trees to the path. Hosanna they shouted Save  us now God The long-promised King has come God bless the one who comes in the name of the  Lord. At last the little donkey with the King on his back entered the streets of  Jerusalem.