The "Triumphal" Entry

40 Essays in around 100 words #27

Holy Week begins today as we celebrate Palm Sunday and Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem. The Roman military often displayed their powers through military parades–likely around the time of Passover, when all the Jews were celebrating freedom from oppression, Rome wanted to remind them just how powerful their oppressors were. I imagine them riding in like Prince Ali in Aladdin. Meanwhile, Jesus rode in on a small donkey by himself. People shouted “hosanna,” or “save us” and laid down their clothes and palm branches for a sort of poor man’s red carpet. It must have looked pathetic to the Romans.

The noble steed of the Messiah?