The crowd showered Jesus with praise as He made His final and triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The choice of a donkey was purposeful and prophetic. This very act fulfilled a Messianic prophesy from the Old Testament. It also stretched back to His humble entry into Bethlehem before His birth and reached to the future of the fateful cross. Any strong earthly king could topple human governments. The very entrance was a perfect depiction of Jesus’ future servant kingship. A Holy God humbly stepped down to take our earthly punishment to provide our triumphal entry into God’s heavenly kingdom.
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ” Zechariah 9:9
The Symbol of Growth and Peace
The Bible specifies that Jesus rode a young donkey into town. This fulfilled the Messianic prophesy of Zechariah 9:9 and confirmed His message. Earthly kings rode to town on the back of majestic horses; the donkey was a prophetic statement of power for us in His humility. The beast of burden used in agriculture symbolizes provision, growth, and political peace. Jesus said He wasn’t coming as a political savior, not a conquering king, but as an agent of peace, growth, and light.
” And He will judge between the nations, and will mediate [disputes] for many peoples; And they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up the sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” “Isaiah 2:3-5
The King of Hearts and Minds
A colt that has never been ridden is often unpredictable, willful, and likely to buck anyone off. Jesus choosing the young colt that had never been ridden is a message to us. The unruly heart and wild demeanor submitted to Jesus symbolized the fruit of a relationship with Him. He changes our hearts and minds through His love and grace. In allowing Jesus to take our reigns, we find hope for our future, allowing our sickness, torment, sin, and destructive willfulness to be overcome by His undeniable love.
“The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” ” Matthew 21:6-9
The Reason He Smiled
As we meditate on the beautiful messages of love and grace, let us abandon fighting against Him. Like the colt, when we allow Him to take the reigns, we can walk peacefully to His purpose for us. While Jesus heard the praises of the masses on His ride into Jerusalem, He knew this adulation would turn to hate as He hung on the cross. He smiled because the end of this figurative road would start our reconciliation with God the Father. This was the cause of His smile on that day and our smiles today when we accept the most precious blood bought undeserved gift of forgiveness.
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