Jesus rides into Jerusalem 

Matthew 21:1-17 (New Living Translation)

1As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2“Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

4This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

5“Tell the people of Jerusalem,

‘Look, your King is coming to you.

He is humble, riding on a donkey—

riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

6The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.

8Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God for the Son of David!

Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the lord!

Praise God in highest heaven!”

10The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

11And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

12Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

14The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”

But the leaders were indignant. 16They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

If you had been part of the crowd that day, what would have been your most lasting memory?

This passage is one of the few places where gospels record that Jesus' glory is recognized on earth. Jesus boldly declared Himself King, and the crowd gladly joined Him. But these same people would bow to political pressure and desert Him. in a few days. Today we celebrate this event on palm Sunday. That day should remind us to guard against superficial acclaim for Christ. Think about this next time you celebrate palm Sunday.