Reflecting on Mark's Gospel - Mark 11:1-11

Mark’s version of what we know as Palm Sunday emphasises the preparatory task of finding the animal on which Jesus would ride as he entered Jerusalem. As Douglas Hare (Mark) points out – “Mark relates with considerable detail how Jesus instructed two disciples to locate a colt in a certain village (we are not told which one), to untie it, and to respond to objectors with the statement, “The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.”

Jesus, with the disciples, is approaching Jerusalem. They are located as being near Bethphage and Bethany. As they come to the Mount of Olives, they are getting close to Jerusalem, and all that means for them at that time. Because we know what is going to happen, we can imagine that there is a feeling of tension. But, before the traumatic events that are to unfold begin, there is to be a moment of celebration.

Traditionally we have understood that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and that is most likely the case. However, the instruction to two unnamed disciples is to find a colt, and that term would more often be used of a young horse. Still, what matters is that it has not been ridden previously. Both the facts that Jesus can apparently requisition this animal and that it needs to not have been ridden, imply a claim to royalty. This is recognising Jesus as king. It is surely the case that, as Hare puts it – “Jesus’ decision to ride into Jerusalem is not a casual one. Because it was customary for pilgrims to walk into the holy city, this choice sets him apart.”

The animal is claimed, and Jesus, riding on this colt, enters Jerusalem amid shouts of acclamation. Cloaks are thrown over the animal, and also on the road. Branches are also spread on the road to form a carpet. It is said that these branches are cut from the fields, not from trees at the roadside, and there is no specific mention here of palm branches. However, there is clearly a celebratory procession with Jesus somewhere in the middle. The crowd shout words that seem to come from Psalm 118 – Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!

In this way Jesus enters Jerusalem. He goes to the Temple, an obvious and frequent first port of call for anyone arriving in Jerusalem. There, he looks round, but it’s late, and he simply leaves the city and returns to Bethany with the twelve.

We know what’s coming; but I wonder just what we would have made of that first Palm Sunday (if I can stick with that title in referring to an account that has no mention of palms), had we been there.