After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Luke 19:28-31
Today we begin the final journey to Jerusalem with Jesus. We celebrate with the crowds as He enters the city, not quite the King we expected but our hopes are high. He sent two disciples ahead to arrange His ride. Surely it will be a white stallion, and He will enter the city majestically, in direct military opposition to Pilate and the Roman legions.
Instead, he tells them to get a colt…a little horse. Some say it was a donkey, but no matter – it certainly wasn’t a warhorse. If we had paid attention to Scripture, the prophet Zechariah told us this: 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)
Jesus told us time and again that He was not like earthly kings, that His kingdom was in heaven. He came with arms outstretched to clasp us in love, not with a sword to force us to kneel in submission. Our allegiance to Him is by choice, and He waits for our decision.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. You sent Your own son to redeem us from our sin. May we claim Him as the King of our lives. Amen.