ized Jesus
and joined the crowd. Excitement became intense. When the gate of the
holy city came into view, several men ran ahead to clear the way.
Snatches of song and psalms of praise could be heard on every side. The
tremendous enthusiasm of the people did not break out, however, until
the procession entered the city.

For a moment all was quiet as they walked under the cool shadowed gate.
Then the colt carried Jesus out of the gate into the city. It seemed to
the amazed disciples that a thousand people filled the cobblestone
street.

"Hosanna! Save us now!" cried the crowd. "Blessed is the one who comes
in the name of the Lord God. Blessed is the messenger whom God has sent
to deliver his people! Hosanna! Hosanna!"

"Pilate will hear about this within an hour!" shouted Judas in the ear
of the Zealot.

"Nonsense! There is nothing to fear. Look at this crowd! Pilate would
never dare arrest us!"

Judas rushed up to Jesus and pulled at his robe. "Master, make them
stop! Make them stop!"

Jesus' answer cut through the tumult. "If these people did not proclaim
the Kingdom, the very stones in the street would have to cry out!"

Men were taking off their cloaks and throwing them in the street in
front of Jesus. Palm branches which people had brought from Jericho were
scattered before Jesus as though he were a king advancing to his throne
on a royal carpet.

"Blessed is the kingdom of our great King David!" shouted the people.
"Blessed is his Son who comes to deliver us!" As Jesus rode by, everyone
fell into step behind him, singing and shouting praises. Jesus led the
crowd up the hill of Zion straight to the Temple. He got off the colt
and entered. Hundreds pushed in after him, still shouting hosannas.

What Jesus saw shocked him. It was early evening, and most of the people
who came to sacrifice had left. But the courtyard of the house of God
was neither empty nor quiet. A large number of young bulls and sheep
were tethered there and made a great disturbance. Jesus had seen these
animals here when he had visited Jerusalem before; indignation rose up
inside him. Priests were carrying water to the bullocks. Others were
putting away small tables where they counted money as they sold the
animals. The whole scene reminded Jesus more of a barnyard or a market
place than the Temple of God.

With rising anger, Jesus walked slowly around the entire courtyard. He
examined everything in it very closely. The people saw his