The Jewish people, in their early days, influenced by the nations around them, wanted a King. Within their prophecies God promised a coming king. In the years Jesus walked the earth, they wondered about Him, and after feeding the 5,000, some wanted to make Him their king by force. Jesus knew their thoughts, but, on that occasion, He left for a mountain to be alone. The timing and their reasoning were off. Jesus followed the leading of His Father when it came to timing. The day after Mary anointed Jesus, He fulfilled prophecy. Jesus entered Jerusalem, on the colt of a donkey by those who did not know His time of visitation.
Jesus Entered Jerusalem
The multitudes were coming into Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Many wondered if He would come. They really wanted to see this Man who had healed the sick and now there were reports He had raised a man from the dead. When they heard He was coming, they ran out to meet Him. It was a grand moment as people waved palm branches and shouted praises. At one point some of the Pharisees told Jesus to quiet His followers. Jesus responded by telling them, if the people didn’t shout out the stones would. He entered, as the fulfilment of prophecy, to the people singing from King David’s own works, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel.”
On the Colt of a Donkey
Jesus entered on the colt of an unridden donkey which He had requested His disciples to gather for Him. It was an act of humility, for a servant king. Most Kings rode in on great steeds amidst the sounds of trumpets. Jesus, however, rode on the colt of a donkey amid praises, in an act of humility. Again, it is a fulfillment of prophecy from the words of Zechariah, “Fear not, daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming sitting on a donkey’s colt.”
Did Not Know
When we read Luke’s account of this day, we learn that Jesus wept as He neared the city. The Son of God, the soon to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords, knew what would bring them the peace they so desperately needed, yet they rejected Him. They did not know that Jesus came as God’s Son for their salvation. John writes, “His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him.” Jesus fulfilled prophecy and entered Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey to shouts of praise, by those who did not know the time of His visitation.