oly Week begins with Jesus knowing where he is going and the opposition that will meet him along the way. The crowds gathered around him for the Feast and to see the one who raised Lazarus from the dead. The crowd followed Jesus mile after mile through the sandy hills of Jericho and the Judean desert to the Mount of Olives. This was the pilgrimage to end all pilgrimages.

As the crowd reached Jerusalem Jesus wept. He saw in an instant both the joy his peace would bring and the destruction that was approaching, knowing all was hidden from them at this time. The crowds understood the prophetic words of Zechariah written 500 years earlier, that their Davidic King, their Messianic King, would enter Jerusalem righteous, humble, gentle, riding on a lowly animal of peace. This was Passover-time in the City of God!

With a carpet of palm branches the crowds welcomed Jesus with shouts of welcome and praise. "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" When the Pharisees heard them they asked Jesus to quiet them but Jesus responded by telling them that even the stones and all creation would praise him if the crowds did not. Today in Scripture we see Christ establishing a Kingdom of Peace. The celebration and the peace were for all time and for all people. It is up to us to find the hard won peace in our lives as we worship and praise our King who made it possible.