Entrance

Haiku of anticipation

Approaching the Mount

named for olives, Jesus sends

two of them ahead.

Bethpage, Bethany?

Whatever; the next village.

They found the donkey.

They explain: The Lord

needs it, he will send it back

when he is finished.

Jesus rode to town.

(What does he think he’s doing?

A royal entrance?)

The people spread cloaks,

branches on the road ahead

to welcome their king.

Hosanna! Blessed

is he who comes in God’s name!

Quite a sensation.

Hosanna, O son

of David! Expectations

are heightened, somewhat.

Came to the temple.

Jesus entered, looked about.

Being late, he left.

© Ken Rookes 2024

The entrance

Haiku for an arrival

Near Jerusalem

he sent the two disciples

to fetch the donkey.

An unridden colt

was his chosen conveyance;

perfect for a king.

They shout in welcome

and wave their leafy branches;

Jesus, we want you!

They shout, Hosanna!

Hosanna, Son of David!

How political!

He rode into town,

took a look at the temple.

It was getting late.

Back to Bethany

he retreated with the twelve

and the moment passed.

© Ken Rookes 2018

Triumph

 

The prophet had him riding a donkey,
so, too, the gospel writers.
A sign, they say, of his humility,
that he was a normal bloke,
like the rest of us.
The god-man, entering the city in triumph
on the back of an ass.
If he came today, in triumph or otherwise,
perhaps he might look beyond the donkey.
Just maybe he might employ the pantomime horse;
in recognition of all the human madness,
and the apparent foolishness
of this strange divine plan.
Jesus the clown;
he’d laugh at himself,
choosing the rear end,
making Peter or James take the head.
Look, here is your God,
laugh at him / her;
and learn to laugh at yourselves while you are at it.
Remember, in laughter there are also tears;
in laughter there is truth.

© Ken Rookes 2014

a celebration of misunderstanding

I write this on a day given to remembering the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem. This year the day seems empty and abstract. The events of the week are too overpowering. The knowledge that Christ's entry led directly to his Crucifixion looms too [grimly] ahead. This seems the strangest holiday of the year, a celebration of misunderstanding. In this world, the [dominion] has not yet come, though our hearts long for it and our lives incline toward it.
John Leax

Christ's entry into Jerusalem

wonderful watercolour by norman Adams
http://www.methodist.org.uk/static/artcollection/image1.htm