April 2025

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Luke 19:38

The morning the multitude gathered around Jesus as he prepared to enter the big city of Jerusa lem, many had no idea how bold and courageous this entrance was. This crowd was made up of regular people who had followed Jesus into the city, amazed by his mercy and compassion, surprised by his humble character, and touched by the power of his words.

They were simple followers, disciples, friends. They have seen him heal the sick, the poor, the rejected, the possessed. They have heard his teachings encouraging them to have compassion and mercy with others. They were perplexed by his ability to relate with every one with respect and love.

They probably didn’t know he rode into the city on a donkey, a symbol of peace, rather than a horse, a symbol of power, but they fol lowed him anyway. They might not know he was coming to the city to give his life for the whole of humanity, yet they keep following.

Love is like that, they have been deeply touched by Jesus’ love, Jesus teaching, Jesus healing, Jesus feeding, Jesus’ wisdom, and the closer they get to the city, the more amazed they were by him.

Suddenly “the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen”. What they knew is this Jesus was the real thing, full of the presence of God with the power to renew and recreate their lives. They did the logical thing, they shouted to the world how much they love him!

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” They knew he came from God to bring blessing to the whole world. “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” They knew he came with peace to glorify God’s name. The more they remember all the amazing ways in which he blessed them, the more they shout!

Until some people got angry at them for being too loud, too annoying, too noisy. “Teacher, order your disciples to stop,” they said. But Jesus’ answer surprised them, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Love is like that, the crowd didn’t know he came to die for them, but all the same, they did shout and praise his name as they stood for peace, justice, healing, and reconciliation just as Jesus did.

Blessings!

Rev. Ileana Rosario