Member-only story
Who Is This?
Looking for a time when Jesus shows up, and the world wants to know his name
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem the week before Passover there was already a swirl of activity as people gathered from far and wide to prepare for the solemn feast in the Holy City. Three times a year the great city swelled to well beyond its capacity as every able Jewish man and his family made the trek to offer sacrifices and to worship at the great temple.
The overflow crowds built crude huts from branches and palm fronds and camped wherever they could find a place. They kindled fires and cooked basic foods kosher to the Passover season and attendant feast of unleavened bread. They renewed acquaintances and prepared sacrifices for slaughter at the temple.
There was an air of excitement and anticipation. As people arrived, those already in town would greet them by waving palm fronds. Many of the so-called “Hallel Psalms” from Psalms 113–118 were chanted. Passover, apart from its religious significance, served as a great family reunion.
Not-so-welcome festival-goers
There also were arrivals that were not-so-welcome. Every year the Roman governor Pilate, normally headquartered at Caesarea-Philippi, came to Jerusalem with a large cohort of Roman soldiers, just to remind…
