Some events in history are more memorable than others. Palm Sunday is the annual remembrance of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem during the Passover week.

The Assignment

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once” (ESV). 

The Jewish observance of Passover was a major holiday celebrating events of the Exodus of Israel from Egypt when the angel passed over the Jewish houses and did not kill their firstborn sons. The city of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time would normally have been about 30,000 people, but during Passover week it would swell to about 180,000 people.

In the midst of this great influx of people, Jesus sent His disciples into the city to bring Him a donkey and its colt. It’s not clear whether this was prearranged with the owners, a common occurrence in that time, or supernatural provision, because that is not the focus of the passage. Jesus had a need and the animals were brought to Him.

Fulfillment

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

In writing his gospel, Matthew frequently referred to the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. This particular quote comes from Zechariah 9:9. This was a deliberate act by Jesus to publicly and openly point to His identity as the Messiah. In all His travels, this is the only recorded instance where He rode an animal.

Israel had long been anticipating their Messiah—the perfect and permanent leader of God’s people. They expected this Messiah to come as the conquering king. Jesus was the long-awaited Savior King, but He didn’t come as they thought He would. He came, not on a warhorse, but on a humble donkey. Just prior to this Jesus had taught,

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:26-28).

In the heavenly kingdom, greatness is shown in servitude. Jesus came in meekness, but not in weakness. Meekness is power under control, like the power of a stallion that can gently carry a child. Jesus wasn’t coming to conquer earthly kingdoms, but to bring about an end to Satan’s reign.

Arrival

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and He sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 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!” 10 And when He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

The Jews recognized Jesus as the Messiah King and rolled out their version of a red carpet. They shouted “Hosanna,” which means “save us now.” They identified Him as the Son of David, of royal lineage. This triumphal entry shook up the city and people wanted to know “Who is this?”

That is the question each of us must ask ourselves as we look at the life of Jesus. He didn’t just come to be:

• A moral example
• An encouraging psychologist
• A “get out of jail free” card
• The American Savior
• Another Santa Claus or a vending machine
• A good teacher

Jesus came as King of kings and Lord of lords, whether we acknowledge Him as such or not. Our identity is to be found in relationship to Him, not just in relation to other people. We aren’t just His followers, patients, or students. We are either loyal subjects of the King or we are rebels. There is no third choice. If He is our King, we should seek to live in obedience to His desires for us.

One day Jesus will return as the conquering King. Right now we are living between His first and second coming, and there is time to repent and follow Him. But time is running out. His return is closer each day, and we don’t know when He will appear. If you have not decided to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord, make that commitment today. And if you have already done so, commit yourself anew to obeying His will to the best of your ability.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Pet. 3:9-12a).

Application Questions

1) Have you committed to Jesus as King and Lord? If so, how has that changed your priorities and habits? If not, is there something holding you back from that decision?

2) Do you find it encouraging that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world? How might that impact the way Christians interact with national and political interests? Consider John 18:36-37, Acts 4:13-22, and Eph. 6:12-20.

3) How might our church better support one another in living as followers of Christ? How can we “stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24)?