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40. Jesus' Entry into Jerusalem.

The next morning the Lord went to Jerusalem; from that time on he went to Jerusalem every morning, but in the evening he returned to Bethany to his friends. This time he mounted a donkey on the way. This animal, which looks so poor with us, grows to be beautiful and handsome in the Orient. Everyone, even the noblest, used these animals for riding without propriety. But when Jesus came towards the city and into the city, it seemed as if all Jerusalem wanted to turn to him at once. A large crowd came out to meet him and accompanied him. Many laid their long and broad outer garments across the road on which he rode. Others broke branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. All the people who preceded and followed shouted with a loud voice: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The children also shouted a joyful hosanna. But when Jesus came down from the hill and saw the city before him, he began to weep. For he foresaw in his spirit the great misfortune that the inhabitants were preparing for themselves through their godlessness, their hypocrisy and their stubbornness. People usually prepare their misfortune for themselves and only recognize it when it is too late.

“Oh, if you knew,” said Jesus, ”you would consider in this your time what is for your peace. But it is hidden from your eyes.” But when Jesus had come into the city and into the temple and the joyful children were still shouting hosanna, hosanna, the priests asked him if he did not hear what they were saying. They thought he should answer them. Jesus, who loves the children so much, did not do that. No, he said to the proud priests: “Have you not read? Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings God has prepared for himself praise.”

But all this, and what else Jesus taught and did, only increased the hatred of his enemies against him. Evil people cannot see that the good are honored and loved. They accused him of wanting to revolt the people against the emperor and make himself king, the pious, peaceful Son of Man who wanted to convert and save sinners and bring them into the blessed kingdom of God.