Digging Deeper: Jesus Enters Jerusalem – Riding on a Donkey
14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: 15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”
John 12:14-15 (NLT)
JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM: RIDING ON A DONKEY
Tom Barnard writes, “The crowd was clueless. They never got it right. They shouted praises. He wept. They looked for a warrior-king riding a white stallion. They got a carpenter riding a donkey. They wanted hype. They got a healer. They wanted a prophet. They got One who fulfilled prophecy. They wanted a scepter. They got a Savior. They got nothing they asked for but everything they needed. Only they never got it. They were clueless. Jesus was the only One there who really knew what was happening on that first Palm Sunday.
In the culture of their day, a king would ride into town on a horse if he wanted the people to know that he was ready for war and that he was their warrior king. However, when a king rode into town on a donkey, that symbolized the time of peace was at hand. Jesus chose a donkey to show that the time for peace and love had come. The people were awaiting the king, but most of them thought the king would be an earthly king who would readily protect Jerusalem from all enemies. Jesus, however, came as a king of peace.
Reflection
Jesus would come to die for our sins so we could have this peace with God. Tom Barnard said, “The crowd was clueless.” In what ways have you felt clueless in your faith? When have you asked God to do something and later realized you were asking for the wrong thing?
Prayer
Thank God for being patient with you. Praise Jesus for starting with bringing peace to your heart. Pray God would open your eyes to misconceptions you have about Jesus.
Dr. Larry Grays is the father of four and lives in the Canton area. Larry consults with churches, schools, city governments, and businesses nationwide. He’s been a member of the NorthStar family for over 20 years.