CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 1

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Luke 19:36-38, 41 (CSB) – “As he was going along, they were spreading their clothes on the road. Now he came near the path down the Mount of Olives, and the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!... As he approached and saw the city, he wept for it….”

Dear Diary: We arrived yesterday at Bethany and the Rabbi was treated to a supper prepared by Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (the one he rose from the dead). After that, we all retired to the hillside of Gethsemane for the night.

When we arose in the morning, the Rabbi was already busy with his inner circle of disciples. He had been talking with them and sent two of them to meet a need. We all speculated over what might be happening. We have been anticipating the Rabbi to be the Messiah we have been praying for. Could this be a start to his setting us free from the Roman occupation?

As we started toward Jerusalem, Jesus was sitting upon a young donkey and the crowd began to shout and chant from Psalm 118. We all began to get caught up in the excitement and feel the anticipation and tension that was mounting. The Pharisees confronted the Rabbi and demanded that he rebuke and silence us. He responded that if we stopped, the very stones would shout out. Not sure what that meant. Rumors have it that the chief priests, scribes and other leaders were seeking to kill him. Why would they want to put to death the very hope of the people?

He stopped on the Mount of Olives and strangely he began to weep. He was overlooking the city of Jerusalem and began to speak out – he warned that the whole city and those in it were going to be crushed. He continued into Jerusalem with the people throwing their clothes and palm branches before him. They chanted and shouted his praises. This was definitely in the same class as a warrior’s triumphal parade.

As we settle in for the night there is much debate over the events today. What do they mean? Who is the Rabbi we are following? Is he really the Messiah we are waiting for? Will he deliver us from the oppression of the Romans? What is this excitement and tension that we feel? Maybe tomorrow we will find out more.