The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the CROWD spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the CROWDS that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the CROWDS said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
The above passage is about typically referred to in the Gospel’s as “Palm Sunday.” It is the Sunday before the week of Christ death, burial and resurrection. At this point the “CROWDS” are on His side and are elevating Jesus about all. You will note that in the above passage the word “CROWD” is used three times. The power of these “CROWDS” can’t be diminished. The combined presence these peoples is no small thing. On the political side, Roman rule forbid CROWDS to assemble. Caesar prevented up rising with this policy. On a religious side, for the Jews, a CROWD was what the religious leaders wanted. But the leaders wanted to CROWDS to marvel at them and to hold them in high esteem. With these CROWDS assembling to honor Jesus but the political and the Jewish religious establishment were threatened. Jesus’ fame growing fame among the “CROWDS” of the common people was pushing the buttons of everyone. If you wonder if these “CROWDS” mattered to the religious leaders, note the following verses that appear in the following chapters, as this “Passion” week unfolds:
Matthew 21:25-27 (ESV)
The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the CROWD, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Matthew 21:45-46 (ESV)
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the CROWDS, because they held him to be a prophet.
CROWD mentality is a dangerous thing. At times, power flows up. If all those at the bottom rebel the power of the top tumbles. This is the biggest threat to both the Jewish religious leaders and, later, even Pilate. He was also afraid of the crowds:
Matthew 27:24-26 (ESV)
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the CROWD, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
No leader, no matter how small or large (in Rome, Pilat was not that powerful) likes a riot by the CROWDS. Jesus is loved by the CROWDS in the above passage. But watch what happens here:
Matthew 26:55 (ESV)
At that hour Jesus said to the CROWDS, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
Eventually the CROWDS will turn on Him. They always turn out against God. Mob mentality is seldom a good thing. For Jesus they wanted to worship Him one Sunday. By that Friday, four days later, they rejoiced in His crucifixion.
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