In Return for Love

Jesus’ triumphal entry provides a picture of contrasts. As the crowd lined his path with palm branches, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13), the Pharisees were indignant. They were appalled that Jesus would even allow such praise (Matt. 21:16), demanding that Jesus rebuke them. Jesus’ response was, of course, priceless: