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enthusiasm, hope of victory and glory waned. These crowds did
not grasp the inevitable suffering of the Messiah, the Suffering
Servant.
Ultimately, some recognized Jesus in the right manner
while others deliberately failed due to herd Mentality. In Jesus’
time, in a Roman-occupied Israel, the poor and marginalized
were more often the victims than the victors in their fight
for national sovereignty. Religion and politics were deeply
intertwined. They faced a complex mixture of divergent social,
political and religious ideologies. They were under the oppressive
system of the powerful custodians of the law and temple. In this
context, they had come to expect a Messiah who, they believed,
would enable them to fulfill the divine mission. In this scenario
Jesus solemnly entered Jerusalem as a humble ‘agent and servant
of God’ to identify himself with the conditions of the people
and not to capture or ascend the throne by battle. In His love,
grace, mercy and sacrifice he came to undo the damage caused
by mortals. He was more than a prophet-He was the Christ
(Messiah) incarnate, exemplar of a new humanity who came
to establish justice, peace and righteousness over the imperial
reign in the world.
‘Triumphal Entry’ had sharp cuts and edge of the effect
on the challenges and needs of that time.
1. Jesus’ solidarity with the ordinary class is more congruent
with gospel for all. On the final week before the crucifixion,
Jesus, celebrated a special time, shared the importance of his
entry exclusively with the powerless and outcasts. His open
invitation embraced the vulnerable communities.
2.Jesus’ choice to ride on a donkey symbolizes the overturning of
the existing oppressive order. Jesus’ presence with the ordinary
and their participation in triumphal entry breathed new life into
their personal, socio-political, cultural and spiritual context.
Jesus riding on a colt is a symbolic demonstration of the Christ
consciousness gaining control over the oppressive nature. His
ride on a donkey revamped the image of self-esteem, recognition

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People