Fr. Kevin Drew: Follow Your King into the Holy City

Christ began His final trek into Jerusalem from Bethany, two miles to the east of the city, just on the other side of the Mount of Olives.  He had been staying out in the wilderness, but now the King makes His triumphant entry into His Holy City.

Why had Christ been staying east of town, in the wilderness?  Because He had just performed His greatest miracle.  He raised Lazarus, buried in a tomb for four days, from the dead.  That happened in Bethany, and since it was so close to Jerusalem, word got out all over the city.  The gospels tell us that many pilgrims, upon hearing of Lazarus’ raising wanted to see Jesus.  And the Jewish leaders?  They wanted to kill Jesus.  They not only wanted to kill Jesus, they wanted to kill Lazarus too, in order to get rid of the evidence.

Isn’t it interesting how hatred and envy can blind people to the truth?  The evidence kept mounting, showing that Christ was the long-awaited Messiah come to save the Jews:  The blind were given sight; deaf ears were opened.  But hearts remained closed. …