Strange Procession Confounds City

Sunday's strange procession through the streets of Jerusalem has taken the city authorities by surprise.

The well-known teacher Jesus was seen riding on a small donkey, welcomed by throngs of residents and visitors lined-up on either sides of the streets of the city.

His twelve disciples, other followers, and admirers sang, and cheered him on, by waving leaves from palm trees.

Our local correspondent, who followed the procession, reports that excited, energetic, screaming masses were seen placing palm-leaves, and even clothes, on the ground. And the donkey and its rider were seen walking through the singing crowds, to a strange joyous welcome.

The key lyrics of songs that rent the air were ""Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!", sang some others.

When several onlookers, and foreigners visiting Jerusalem, asked the jubilant celebrants who this person was, they proudly said it was Rabbi Jesus from Nazareth, which is in Galilee.

Who is he?

Our readers would be aware from our earlier news reports - that the radical modern teacher Jesus shot into fame in most parts of Judea and Galilee after he miraculously raised Lazarus of Bethany, from the dead.

We had reported earlier that this Rabbi's other miracle of using just five loaves and two fish to feed over 5000 men - apart from women and children -  caused a huge sensation and debate across Judea and Samaria.

Jesus' unconventional new teachings are drawing condemnation from some religious scholars who think his teachings are not in line with the Torah's.

On several occasions, however, when Pharisees and Sadducees questioned him - they say - he had displayed exceptional knowledge of Jewish Scriptures.

Now, much to the dismay of the Jewish Synagogue authorities, Jesus already has thousands of followers in the region.

It is learnt, from reliable sources, that the synagogue members are feeling threatened by the rising popularity of this modern preacher.

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Don't miss TOMORROW'S EDITION for an exclusive interview with Temple High Priests Annas and Caiaphas.

'A storm is brewing' says our correspondent Krosstiana Hamanpoor, who talked to them on Sunday night.

The high priests reveal a growing animosity towards Jesus, and they also tell us about the huge rifts that are developing within the Jewish community.

Non-Jewish community in, and around, Jerusalem is also apprehensive about the new developments in the region.

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Mayor Surprised

The city's mayor says that this jubilant celebration by the crowds was completely unexpected.

According to him, the city was making preparations for a huge number of visitors expected for the Passover festival due this week-end.

As Jerusalem is the capital city of the Jews, even if it is currently under Roman rule, he said he has orders from King Herod to ensure that city's Passover Celebrations go on without trouble from the crowds.

The mayor said he did not expect this teacher Jesus to suddenly 'steal the limelight' by making this grand entrance into the city.

With crowds going overboard in declaring their joy at the arrival of this simple, but now-famous teacher, the mayor said he is tightening security, ahead of the Passover festival.


Disciples and Donkey

Two of Jesus' disciples who did not reveal their names told our reporter that their master had earlier asked them to go to the village of Bethphage, about a mile from Jersusalem, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. He said they will find a donkey tied by a house, and they must untie and bring it.

Jesus apparently instructed the disciples to tell the owners of the animal, if they ask, that "The Lord has need of it." The men found the donkey, told the owners what Jesus said, and brought it to Jesus.

And the little donkey became a star attraction, yesterday.

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MY TWO DENARII WORTH 

Column by Religious and Political Analyst
 Prof. Eliezer ben Ahimelech

Hebrew Etymologist, Curator of the Israeli Archives 

Expert in Jewish History and Language,

Holding the Baruch ben Neriah Chair at University of  Jerusalem

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I believe the readers might be curious to know more about at least three things from Sunday's events and the events ahead.

What is "Passover"? What does "Hosanna" mean? And what is the significance of Jesus' riding on the donkey? Shouldn't a king, if Jesus is really a king, as his followers claim, actually be riding on a horse?

Passover

Israelites celebrate Passover Festival with great fervour for a symbolically significant reason. For Jews, Passover is not only an occasion of great joy but also of a sacred family time. Celebrating it is a cultural and religious imperative.

The reason is this: It commemorates their freedom from slavery-and-bondage from Egypt, almost 15 centuries ago.

They were freed, and allowed to go, by Pharaoh only after Pharaoh's first-born son died when the Angel of Death struck, as was declared by Prophet Moses.  In fact, all the first born offspring of Egypt were struck that night.

The Angel of Death, however, 'passed over' the Israelite residences without striking any Israeli first-born.

But, why did the angel 'pass over' and did not strike Israeli households? It is because they had all smeared door-posts of their houses with unblemished lambs' blood, as instructed by Moses.

The 'Passover' Festival thus marks a historically great moment when their first born were not only saved from death, but also got complete redemption from Pharaoh's bondage. It is after this, that the free Israelis set off to their promised land, under Moses' leadership.

This weekend is the celebration of the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread by the Jews. It is celebrated usually on the 15th day of the Nisan month of the Hebrew Calendar.

Donkey Ride

Interestingly, the scroll of Prophet Zehchariah that I have - which was written 500 years ago - came to my mind when I heard about the incident of Jesus on the donkey. There is a place in the scroll where it says:

“Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." 

Though I do not know if this passage has any connection to what happened on Sunday, to many, it might appear like a prophesy, and that it has suddenly come true.

Many Jews, I suspect, are secretly hoping that Jesus is the promised Messiah, as well as the King - who will free them from Roman occupation as well as from the tyranny of current Jewish leadership, and lead them into a brave new world. But many others, disagree.

I find it pertinent to mention here that according to Jewish law, it is completely blasphemous for any ordinary man to say he is a King or that he is God.

Hosanna

'Hosanna' is word of Hebrew and Aramaic origin. It means 'Save', or 'Help, I pray'. I am unclear as to why the crowds think that he is a saviour, but it looks like they believe he is their Saviour indeed.

I am actually amused at this because, I strongly feel that, very shortly, he will need to be saved!!

In the higher echelons of power here, those upset at his growing fame are already plotting against him.

Caesar Tiberius' Strange New Proposal

From Our Correspondent in Rome.

Caesar Tiberius, the Emperor of Rome, who is the step-son, and successor of Octavian (Caesar Augustus) has addressed the Senate, last week, on the necessity of stopping new conquests.

He stressed that the conquests of earlier Roman rulers - his predecessors, Pompey, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavian (Caesar Augustus) - on either sides of the Mediterranean are yielding considerable tax-revenue, regularly adding to the treasury.

The taxes and tributes from Gaul, in particular, have risen according his Head of Treasury.

Funds must be used to expand the city of Rome, and further conquests are to be stopped for the time being, he suggested.

Senate will continue debating this, next fortnight.