Almost one-third of the first three Gospels, usually known as the “Synoptic Gospels,” is dedicated to narrating and discussing the events associated with the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. It is in this section of the Gospels that our Lord focuses on the end of His ministry prophesying about His upcoming arrest and death and preparing His apostles for the post-resurrection ministry.

          However, many readers go through the details of this section of the Gospels not aware of a very important element in the background of the events narrated in it. I am referring to the fact of the decision of our Lord to return voluntarily back to Jerusalem. At first glance this may sound like a simple fact. However, reflecting upon the political dynamics of the region in those days, Jesus’ decision to return to Jerusalem was a conscious decision to confront His enemies. Jerusalem at the time of Jesus was the den of the hypocrites who pretended to be religious and clergy who went through the motions of their rituals, but their hearts were already enslaved to their egos and the worldly and materialistic gains. It was these people who rejected Jesus’ ministry, because it exposes their hypocrisy. Jesus even likened them to tombs which in those days were usually covered with impressive marbles and decorations, but their insides were all rotten.

          You see, Jesus’ decision to return to Jerusalem was a courageous decision of a determined leader to confront the enemy in its headquarters. I am sure Jesus could have found many other ways to negotiate with his enemies and find a middle ground with them. Furthermore, I am sure that Jesus, being God, could have easily chosen certain key words and concepts to “market” His Gospel so it is less offensive to those who disagreed with Him. However, for our Lord, the basic doctrinal foundation of the message of the Gospel was “black and white.” There is no gray area when it comes to the commandments “Do not lie” or “Forgive your brother” or “Pray for your enemy” or “Remember me.”

          Our Lord’s decision clearly indicates His determination to complete His ministry and fulfill God’s plan in confronting and destroying all grounds for the enemy who deceived and confused people. His decision was His public proclamation to walk to the cross. The journey to Jerusalem was His procession of enthronement and coronation as the Redeemer and Savior of the Universe.

          In a few days we will be commemorating the re-entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, i.e., Palm Sunday. As we reflect upon the mystery of God’s love for us, I wonder how many Christians today are willing to be as bold as our Lord was in defending the foundations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the season to commit ourselves to re-entering our own “Jerusalems,” the various challenges and difficulties we have in the path of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us be courageous in marching to it and not avoiding it or “circumlocuting” it. For it is only through the re-entry to Jerusalem that we can experience the resurrection.

In Christ’s service,

Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian