Rumblings of Thunder
In Mark we have possibly the earliest, and certainly the shortest, account of the Entry into Jerusalem, popularly known as Palm Sunday. Other gospel writers have more details but try concentrating on this early source before anybody else got hold of it. Just what what was going on?
When Jesus set off for Jerusalem, well aware of the emotions around him, he could hardly be expecting a walk in the park. He had a reputation for good works including miracles, form on challenging authority and established traditions, and an increasingly hostile response from the Jewish Authorities. Rumours circulated that he was a messiah, a king, recalling Judas Maccabeus, a second century BCE liberator of the Jews whose victory was celebrated annually at the mid-winter Festival of Lights (Hanukkah).
So what could Jesus do? Mark's bare factual account (writing c50-60 CE) leaves us with more questions than answers. Jesus is alone, facing an approaching climax in an already tense situation, with a small but enthusiastic band, a few friends, followers and adherents (all unaware of what was to come), a larger supportive group with its own agenda, and in the wings the rumbling of thunder from in increasingly threatening opposition.
Bethany must have provided a welcome break, but he couldn't stay there. He was on a journey and things were likely to get nasty once they reached Jerusalem. The disciples were edgy (9:30-37; 10:32-45) and all attempts to cool it and prepare them for what was to come were proving ineffective. So, with neither hope nor intenton of fulfilling popular expectations, how if he played the Hanukkah card? A distraction. Just a touch of the Festival of Lights before Passover and with a particular twist. A King? Rubbish. Messiah? Maybe, but not the Maccabeus variety.
By a private agreement he goes for the colt, keeping the disciples in the dark until they were ready to set off. No evidence of course this was what he had in mind but the disciples soon cottoned on as they went along and judging by the response of the people so did they. From then it was a Fun Day.