Jesus Throws Down... a Gauntlet

It is important to put this journey (in Mark 11) to Jerusalem into its historical and theological context.
Jesus and his
disciples were not the only ones headed to Jerusalem at this time. Jewish pilgrims from all over Israel
would have been making the same journey so as to get to Jerusalem in time to celebrate the Passover.
The roads and inns would have been crowded. There can be no question that Jesus picked this time to
enter the city because he was the true Passover lamb, that one to whom the entire national celebration
pointed. Yes, Jesus could have also chosen to enter the city quietly. He could have entered the city
during some other time of year. Instead, Jesus allows the people join his procession into the city and he
allows them to chant “Hosanna” in reference to him. Jesus willingly receives the adulation of the crowds
who saw in this day the fulfillment of everything promised to Israel in the Old Testament.
This was truly a day, then, in which events of biblical proportions were unfolding before their very eyes.
This is why it is so important to understand the fact that Jesus’ actions constituted a blatant public act
which effectively throw[s] down the gauntlet to the Jerusalem authorities and force[s] them to respond.
Mark does not describe a Jesus who sees these events as an opportunity which he can use to his
advantage. Rather, Jesus is directing all of these things, bringing them to their appointed ends, since this all points to him and to the events of this day. Jesus is the Lord of history. He is not an opportunist, taking advantage of the circumstances at hand.
Jesus picks this time and this means of entering the city
because these things find their meaning only in him. Jesus allows the adulation of the crowds because he
is Israel’s Messiah and because Scripture must be fulfilled. --Kim Riddlebarger