Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Congratulations with the great feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem, as well as with the completion of Great Lent!

Today an excerpt from the Gospel according to John was read. In it we heard how the Jews greeted Jesus Christ while He was descending from the Mount of Olives, crossing the Cedron Brook, which flowed through the valley before the walls of Jerusalem, and as He was finally entering the city. While this unusual procession was transpiring, the Jews were triumphantly saying the following words: “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.” The other three evangelists also describe the entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem, but the words cried out by the Jews are transmitted to us differently by each author, although the meaning or idea is the same in all the Gospels.

Those phrases and words which were loudly proclaimed on that day were not random, but taken from the 117th (118th) psalm. This especially joyous and festive psalm was used by the Jews during liturgical processions in the Jerusalem Temple, on the most solemn celebrations. Perhaps we can suppose that since this psalm was used during public worship that it was well know to pious Jews. We should also remember that this psalm is prophetic. Not only we Christians see the words of the 26th verse, “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord!” as a sign of the coming of Christ; the Jews thought likewise.

Knowing this, we gain a wider understanding of the events in those concise Gospel narratives that we heard today as well as last evening. Before us a picture is being painted in which we see how our Lord Jesus Christ is making His way on a donkey from Bethany to Jerusalem, how His disciples, pilgrims from all the ends of the earth, as well as some of the citizens of the city greet Him with the beautiful singing of a cherished and familiar psalm. Everyone understands well (both the Saviour’s supporters and His enemies) that this psalm was not randomly picked. It is sung because it speaks about the coming of the Messiah!

This psalm does not only foreshadow the appearance of the Messiah, but also quite clearly points to His death and resurrection. Here are several examples (other examples you can find yourselves when you have a spare moment to open the Psalter):

I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. (verse 5)

All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. (verse 10)

They compassed me about like bees: … for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. (verse 12)

Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. (verse 13)

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. (verse 17)

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (verses 22 and 23)

Each of these verses speaks about the Messiah being oppressed, rejected, tortured, but despite this His remaining unharmed. Is this not a description of the death of the Saviour, which in no way destroyed Him, but only brought about His resurrection and victory over death?

Today, let’s pray that we spend the following days of Holy Week well, and that we joyfully meet the resurrection of Christ, which was so clearly foretold in the psalm that was sung by the Jews many years ago on the day of the Entrance of our Saviour into Jerusalem.

priest Alexis