[Matthew 21]

We’re taking a brief break in our walk through Matthew. It’s holy week. We’ll look at what following meant that particular week. At least part of what was involved.

Sunday, following was pretty easy. Suddenly, Jesus was the popular one, Jesus was the celebrated one, Jesus was the one that everyone was cheering. After all those months of being misunderstood, of having regular attacks from all the religious leaders, now there is recognition.

It had to be interesting for the disciples. Was Jesus going to remember them now that he was a big star? Where they going to be recognized, too? Was this a big deal that Jeus set up? (After all, he had arranged for the donkey to be ready, somehow).

Wonderfully, we have no idea what they were thinking. After doing what Jesus told them to do and bringing a donkey and a colt, and after they put their coats on the donkey and the colt as makeshift saddles or trappings or something, the disciples disappear into the crowd.

They aren’t in the story. They aren’t mentioned.

I hope it was okay with them. I’m not sure it would be okay with me.

I think I want to be recognized by Jesus for my fine obedience. I think I want to be recognized for my fine colt-draping skills, for my fine coordination of the palm spectacle, for my great work hand out lyric sheets to the whole crowd so they remember their lines: Hosanna. I think I want to be identified as one of the people who knew him as the king from way back. I think I want to be honored as part of the marching contingent, on my own float following the grand marshal.

Forgetting, of course, that I’m just called to follow.