Yesterday we celebrated Lasarus Saturday, the most incredible miracle, that had ever been performed in the whole history of humanity. Yesterday, Lasarus, Martha’s and Mary’s brother was raised from the dead after having been in the tomb for four days.

But, at the same time, sadly, it is not the greatest miracle, and this is for two reasons: the first and the obvious is that Lazarus still died, later, like any other; and the second reason is that besides physical death, there is spiritual death. Physical death is visible to everyone, and people fear it (and they were so glad to see the resurrection), but spiritual death is usually not noticeable to people at all…

So, Lasarus, a four-days passed away (who was starting to decay), was raised from the dead and the news of this was spreading like a wildfire. Many people thought that finally the Messiah was there! Because only the Messiah can raise man from the dead.

Now he is going to establish an earthly kingdom for people of Israel!

Moreover, they were aware of the prophecy of Zechariah, which says: “Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

According to the custom of that time, the Jews would enter the Holy City on foot during religious feasts. However, in the Old Testament, in the Books of the Kings, there are accounts of how, on certain occasions, it was specifically the kings of Israel who would ride into Jerusalem — and before them, the rejoicing people would spread their garments.

Why does Christ, at the end of His earthly ministry, choose to enter Jerusalem with a measure of glory, something He had consistently avoided before?

Through His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Christ reveals that He is indeed the true King and Ruler of the world — the very Messiah awaited for millennia, the Savior of the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ manifested Himself in three primary sacred roles: as King, as Prophet, and as High Priest. And the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem is a clear indication of His royal ministry!

And the people greeted Him with such a joy! they cut down palm branches, and laid down their clothes on the roads before Him…

But he wasn’t at all delighted by all of this, and entering Jerusalem he expressed lamentations on the city and its people that hardened their hearts so as not to see what is giving them true salvation… As God he saw the past, the present, and the future at the same time.

And, sadly, his main message was difficult for them to believe – to forgive enemies, to love God and the neighbour, to bless those who persecute, and not to put all hope in this world, to seek rather Heavenly Kingdom, to be trustworthy, not to envy, not to judge…

Christ enters Jerusalem six days before the Jewish Passover. According to the custom of that time, it was precisely during this period that the lamb to be sacrificed and eaten for the Feast was chosen. The holy fathers — for example, St. Ambrose of Milan — saw in the fact that Christ enters Jerusalem on the very day the sacrificial lamb is selected a symbolic indication of Christ’s forthcoming sacrifice. As Scripture says, He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the God “of love and peace” (2 Corinthians 13:11), and thus, although His majestic royal ministry is revealed, He does not ride in on warhorses, but on a donkey — showing Himself to be a humble King.

In five days, the same people started to cry out “Crucify Him! He is not our king; Cesar is our king.” People had expectations of God, people had plans for God, and when God in flesh showed them something different, they rejected Him. This miracle did not happen! People have to labour for it to happen!

The people of Jerusalem did let their passion conquer and vanquish their only hope. They put vain hope in the Roman empire, and very soon they were eaten alive by the Roman empire, and the sad prophecy of Christ was fulfilled.

But we, brothers and sisters, looking to our King and God Jesus Christ, let us imitate and follow Him, understanding that the Kingdom of Heaven is not promised to the glorious and powerful. It is God’s will to make the heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven not those who are mighty and authoritative, but those who are kind and meek. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” says Scripture (Matthew 5:5) — the earth renewed, the earth cleansed from sin and suffering, the earth which Scripture calls the new earth (Revelation 21:1).

Dear brothers and sisters, today’s feast is joyful and triumphant. But let us remember once again: the Lord’s Entry into Jerusalem is an entry into suffering! Let our hearts rejoice today, but let our minds remember Christ’s words: “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). To follow Christ not only with palm branches — but also with the cross! Because one can enter into the Paschal Joy of Christ only by going with Him through the Passion Week and Golgotha! Amen!