Triumphal Entry

Noel Merrick

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Triumphal Entry: What You NEVER KNEW about Jesus and the Donkey!

By Introduction allow us to GIVE 8 suggestions What You NEVER KNEW about Jesus and the Donkey!

God never missed an opportunity to use powerful symbols throughout Scripture. Jesus’ famous ride on this lowly animal reveals much about Christ’s character and purpose.

Why did Jesus ride a donkey?

1. Christ is claiming His rightful place as the prophesied Messiah.

God never missed an opportunity to use powerful symbols throughout Scripture. Jesus’ famous ride on this lowly animal reveals much about Christ’s character and purpose.

Prior to entering Jerusalem, Christ instructed his disciples to acquire for him a donkey

Matt 21:1-5 .

Matthew 21:1–5 KJV 1900

(In Matthew’s Gospel a donkey and a colt, two poetic Hebrew parallel phrases.)

Why did Jesus ride a donkey?

Zechariah wrote: “Behold, your king comes to you, triumphant and victorious. He is humble and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.” (

Zechariah 9:9 ) KJV.

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

Every Jew would know Zechariah’s messianic prophecy. That’s why the crowds hailed Jesus as their king shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Matt 21:9 Jesus is the true Davidic Messiah and king.

Matthew 21:9 KJV 1900

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

2. Jesus rode a donkey to symbolize peace.

Why didn’t Jesus ride a warhorse, as He did in Revelation?

Mark Boda explains:

In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace.

1 Kings 1:33 mentions Solomon riding a donkey on the day he was recognized as the new king of Israel.

1 Kings 1:33 KJV 1900

33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

Other instances of leaders riding donkeys are Judges 5:10; 10:4; 12:14; and 2 Sam 16:2 .

Judges 5:10 KJV 1900

10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, Ye that sit in judgment, And walk by the way.

Judges 10:4 KJV 1900

4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

Judges 12:14 KJV 1900

14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

2 Samuel 16:2 KJV 1900

2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

The mention of a donkey in Zech 9:9-10 fits the description of a king who would be “righteous and having salvation, gentle.” Rather than riding to conquer, this king would enter in peace.

Zechariah 9:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass. 10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, And the horse from Jerusalem, And the battle bow shall be cut off: And he shall speak peace unto the heathen: And his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, And from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Zech 9:10 highlights this peace: “I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

Zechariah 9:10 KJV 1900

10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, And the horse from Jerusalem, And the battle bow shall be cut off: And he shall speak peace unto the heathen: And his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, And from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Note the many details symbolic of peace in this prophecy:

· “Take away the chariots”: an end to the main vehicle of war.

· “Take away… the war-horses”: no need for horses used in war.

· “The battle bow will be broken”: no need for bows or arrows for fighting.

· “He will proclaim peace to the nations”: His message will be one of reconciliation.

· “His rule shall be from sea to sea”: the King will control extended territory with no enemies of concern.

Jesus fulfills this prediction of Zechariah. Worldwide peace proclaimed by this humble King will be a fulfillment of the angels’ song in Luke 2:14 : “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” .

Luke 2:14 KJV 1900

14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

3. Christ’s journey on a donkey harkened back to the foreshadowing of a father sacrificing his own only son.

Isaac, a type of Christ, rides a donkey to be slain by his father Abraham on the altar (Gen 22:3.)

Genesis 22:3 KJV 1900

3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

4. Jesus’ journey on a donkey symbolized God’s blessing to His people.

Jacob’s divine blessing over his son Judah includes a reference to a donkey and a donkey’s foal (Gen 49:10-12 )

Genesis 49:10–12 KJV 1900

10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, And his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes: 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, And his teeth white with milk.

“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.”

Jesus is born of the tribe of Judah, eternally enthroned. Jacob’s prophecy describes a king who washes with wine (His blood) and has white teeth (purity). Incidentally, read verses 14-16 Gen 49:14-16 about Isaachar, the rawboned donkey, who bows in submission!

Genesis 49:14–16 KJV 1900

14 Issachar is a strong ass Couching down between two burdens: 15 And he saw that rest was good, And the land that it was pleasant; And bowed his shoulder to bear, And became a servant unto tribute. 16 Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.

5. Jesus’ triumphal journey teaches us that after all of the sacrifices offered for sin, we can enter the rest of faith because of His final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12).

Hebrews 10:12 KJV 1900

12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Exod 23:12 states God’s clear command:

Exodus 23:12 KJV 1900

12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

“Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.”

6. Emissaries sent donkeys overloaded with gifts to appease the wrath of an enemy, preventing bloodshed.

Jacob sent donkeys packed with treasures to avoid the wrath of his brother Esau (Gen 33:8).

Genesis 33:8 KJV 1900

8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.

Abigail brought donkeys packed with food to keep David from killing her family. Nabal, her husband, had angered the king-to-be. The wise woman knelt before David and said in 1 Sam 25:26 :

1 Samuel 25:26 KJV 1900

26 Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.

“And now, my lord, as surely as the Lord your God lives and as you live, since the Lord has kept you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, may your enemies and all who are intent on harming my lord be like Nabal.”

7. God used a donkey to speak His judgment!

Yes, Balaam’s donkey actually warns the prophet of His disobedience. In Num 22 , Moses writes:

Numbers 22 KJV 1900

1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. 2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. 4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: 6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed. 7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak. 8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the Lord shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam. 9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee? 10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, 11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. 12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. 13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you. 14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us. 15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: 17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. 18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more. 20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. 21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? 29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. 30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. 31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the Lord, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 35 And the angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast. 37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour? 38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak. 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjath-huzoth. 40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him. 41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

“… Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’ Balaam answered the donkey, ‘You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.’ The donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?’ ‘No,’ he said. Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. The angel of the Lord asked him, ‘Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.’”

Samson defeated the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. (Judges 15:15).

Judges 15:15 KJV 1900

15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

God sent a lion to devour a false prophet in 1 Kings 13:27-31, while his donkey safely stood and watched. The lion did not eat the donkey. The donkey carried the slain prophet back home at God’s behest.

1 Kings 13:27–31 KJV 1900

27 And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. 28 And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the carcase, nor torn the ass. 29 And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him. 30 And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother! 31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones:

King Jehu rode a donkey into Samaria, a kind of false Jerusalem, in order to destroy the temple of the false god Baal (2 Kings 9:11-10:28 ).

2 Kings 9:11–10:28 KJV 1900

11 Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication. 12 And they said, It is false; tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. 13 Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king. 14 So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria. 15 But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel. 16 So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram. 17 And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company. And Joram said, Take an horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say, Is it peace? 18 So there went one on horseback to meet him, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu said, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. And the watchman told, saying, The messenger came to them, but he cometh not again. 19 Then he sent out a second on horseback, which came to them, and said, Thus saith the king, Is it peace? And Jehu answered, What hast thou to do with peace? turn thee behind me. 20 And the watchman told, saying, He came even unto them, and cometh not again: and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously. 21 And Joram said, Make ready. And his chariot was made ready. And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. 22 And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? 23 And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah. 24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot. 25 Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the Lord laid this burden upon him; 26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the Lord; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the Lord. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the Lord. 27 But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there. 28 And his servants carried him in a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David. 29 And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah. 30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. 31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? 32 And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. 33 And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. 34 And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king’s daughter. 35 And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. 36 Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: 37 And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. 1 And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab’s children, saying, 2 Now as soon as this letter cometh to you, seeing your master’s sons are with you, and there are with you chariots and horses, a fenced city also, and armour; 3 Look even out the best and meetest of your master’s sons, and set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house. 4 But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand? 5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes. 6 Then he wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, If ye be mine, and if ye will hearken unto my voice, take ye the heads of the men your master’s sons, and come to me to Jezreel by to morrow this time. Now the king’s sons, being seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, which brought them up. 7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king’s sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel. 8 And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king’s sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning. 9 And it came to pass in the morning, that he went out, and stood, and said to all the people, Ye be righteous: behold, I conspired against my master, and slew him: but who slew all these? 10 Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the Lord, which the Lord spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the Lord hath done that which he spake by his servant Elijah. 11 So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining. 12 And he arose and departed, and came to Samaria. And as he was at the shearing house in the way, 13 Jehu met with the brethren of Ahaziah king of Judah, and said, Who are ye? And they answered, We are the brethren of Ahaziah; and we go down to salute the children of the king and the children of the queen. 14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them. 15 And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. 16 And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot. 17 And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the Lord, which he spake to Elijah. 18 And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. 21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. 22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. 23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only. 24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. 25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 26 And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. 27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. 28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

Christ entered Jerusalem’s temple and pronounced judgment as He overturned the money-changer’s tables in Matt 12:12:

Matthew 12:12 KJV 1900

12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

“My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

8. Jesus demonstrated that he was the burden-bearer who came to save us.

Baby Jesus was born in humility. Remember, a donkey carried a poor, pregnant mother named Mary all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. (Luke 2:4-7).

Luke 2:4–7 KJV 1900

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

This gentle beast of burden carried the Savior of the World.

Jesus used the image of Mary’s donkey to connect with the common people.

He came for them.

Jesus embraced the poor, weak and oppressed during his time here on earth.

Christ’s sweet, simple story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:33-34 is a perfect symbol of his love and compassion:

Luke 10:33–34 KJV 1900

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.

Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

The Bible is rich in symbolism. Enjoy the triumphal entry in a deeper way this year.

"Jesus' 'First' Triumphal Entry"

Matthew 21:1-11 Theme: We must embrace Jesus' "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem in order to be able to stand at His glorious return.

Matthew 21:1–11 KJV 1900

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

(Delivered Sunday, March 2, 2008 at Bethany Bible Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

This morning, I ask that we consider our Lord's two great "triumphal entries" into the city of Jerusalem.

You may be used to thinking of only the first one—the one that we typically celebrate on Palm Sunday. But the Bible actually describes two great entries of our Lord into that city; and they both deserve to be called "triumphal".

We will focus our attention primarily on His first triumphal entry. But I must warn you—your eternal destiny at the time of His second entry is going to dependent upon whether or not you have properly responded to the first.

* * * * * * * * * *

Let me begin this morning by reading the Bible's description of His first "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem, as it's given to us in Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 21:1-11 says;

Matthew 21:1–11 KJV 1900

(Matthew 21:1-11).

Did you know that when Jesus—this great King—road into the city on that day, it would only be less than a week later that he would be crucified on a gruesome cross?

And did you know that the crowds—who shouted His praises and welcomed Him with enthusiasm—would be shouting "Let Him be crucified!" before the week was over?

The long-awaited King of Israel road into the city that first time, as our text tells us, "lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey".

He made His first triumphal entry, not as a mighty Sovereign, but as a meek Servant who came to give His life for us on the cross.

* * * * * * * * * *

But keeping that in mind, let me next read from the book of Revelation, and of its description of His promised second "triumphal entry". He is the very same King coming again to the very same spot on the earth; but this second “entry” is far different from the first! Revelation 19:11-16 says;

Revelation 19:11–16 KJV 1900

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

(Revelation 19:11-16).

It will be from that very same city into which He first entered—the city of Jerusalem—that the Bible promises that He will reign on this earth for a thousand years.

The prophet Zechariah writes that He will return to set His feet upon the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4); and after He has conquered His enemies, all the nations of the earth will come to Jerusalem to worship Him (Zech 14:16-17 ).

Zechariah 14:4 KJV 1900

4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, Which is before Jerusalem on the east, And the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, And there shall be a very great valley; And half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, And half of it toward the south.

Zechariah 14:16–17 KJV 1900

16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations Which came against Jerusalem Shall even go up from year to year To worship the King, the Lord of hosts, And to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up Of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem To worship the King, the Lord of hosts, Even upon them shall be no rain.

And what a contrast there is between that first entry into Jerusalem and the second!

That first entry was on a meek and mild donkey—a symbol of gentleness and peace; but the second entry will be on the white stallion of a warrior.

The first entry was to make atonement for our sins; but the second entry will be to judge and to make war, and to tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

He wore no crowns at that first entry; but at His second, He will wear many crowns.

At His first entry, the clothes of the happy crowds were thrown before Him; but at His second, He will wear a robe dipped in blood.

Crowds of humble people went before Him and behind Him at His first entry; but at His second, He will be accompanied by the white-robed armies of heaven.

He came to His own people that first time to be struck down; but He will come the second time to strike the nations and rule them with a rod of iron.

When He came that first time into the city, they announced Him as Jesus, the prophet from the humble town of Nazareth of Galilee;

but when He comes the second time, He will be called by the name "The Word of God", and will bear the title "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS".

How grateful we should be that, when He came that first time to the city of Jerusalem, He didn't come in the manner described in the Book of Revelation!

He didn't come as the mighty, conquering Warrior-Judge then—although He certainly could have! Instead, He came as the lowly Savior of sinners such as us.

And because He came as the suffering Servant in His first entry into Jerusalem, no poor sinner who receives His sacrifice on the cross need ever fear the judgment of His second coming!

But the clear affirmation of the word of God is that, one day, He will come again!

And the Bible promises that, at His glorious second coming, "every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him" (Revelation 1:7).

Revelation 1:7 KJV 1900

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Everyone here today will see Him on that day.

You will see Him, and so will I.

And the eternal destiny of each one of us at the time of His second 'triumphal entry' into Jerusalem depends on our personal response to the sacrifice He made on the cross at His first!

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This morning, we will be considering the details we find of this first great "triumphal entry".

First, consider . . .

1. THE PREPARATION FOR HIS ENTRY (vv. Matt 21: 1-5).

Matthew 21:1–5 KJV 1900

Matthew tells us that the events of our passage occurred when Jesus and His disciples "drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives" (v. 1).

It's amazing how these events concerning our Lord's sacrifice for us—the greatest of all events in history—occurred in a remarkably a small spot on the earth. Jesus came into Jerusalem past the Mount of Olives, entered and cleansed and taught in the Temple, was betrayed in the Garden of Gesthemene on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, was tried, was beaten, was crucified at Calvary, was buried, was raised;

was ascended from the Mount of Olives, and will one day descend again from the earth to set His feet upon the Mount of Olives and reign over the nations from Jerusalem—with all these earth-shaking events occuring in an area that is less than a mile in breadth.

Even that little village that Jesus and His disciples came to, Bethphage, is only significant because it's the place from which the donkey that our Lord rode on was taken. But clearly, God's sovereign hand was at work in this seemingly insignificant place—preparing the way for prophetic Scripture to be fulfilled with respect to our Lord.

First, we notice that the disciples didn't have to look for the animals Jesus sent them to bring to Him.

He said that, as soon as they came into the village, they would “immediately” find not just a donkey, but a donkey and her colt tied together.

Two animals—requiring two disciples to bring them. Seeing the animals immediately must have given the two disciples confidence to untie them and bring them.

And, second, we see that they were immediately allowed to take the animals.

They were told, "And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them" (vv. Matt 21: 2-3).

Matthew 21:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

There must have been some providential “arrangement” made that we aren't told about. If you don't believe me, try it some time.

Try breaking into some car; and as the owner asks what in the world you're doing, tell him, “The Lord has need of it”. See if he'll “immediately” give you the keys.

And yet, that's what Luke, in his Gospel, tells us happened.

The owners saw the two disciples untying the two animals and wanted to know what they were doing.

And when the disciples said what the Lord had told them to say, they were set free to take them to the Lord.

It's only speculation; but I wonder if the owners had previously devoted their animals to the Lord and said, "Lord, if You ever require anything of mine—even my animals—here they are.

They are Yours to uses whenever and however You have need of them."

And in all of this, we are made to know that it was all in keeping with the promise of the Scriptures.

Matthew tells us that this was done “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet” (v. 4). He quotes from Zechariah 9:9; where, some four centuries before Jesus came into this world, Israel is told;

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

(Zech. 9:9).

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

What great provision was made by God for this day!

It was declared by God's prophet that it would happen in a specific way, long before it happened; and at the right time, it happened exactly as promised.

Everything occurred as if ruled by God's unseen hand; and all so that our precious Savior could make Himself clearly known to those who sought Him, and so that nothing was left undone of any of God's promises.

* * * * * * * * * *

Next, notice . . .

2. THE MANNER OF HIS ENTRY (vv. Matt 21: 6-7).

Matthew 21:6–7 KJV 1900

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

Matthew tells us, “So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them” (v. 6).

(Isn't that a great verse, by the way?

It might be a great verse to memorize—and an even better one to make sure characterizes our lives!)

I can't help but think that the disciples must have had a sense of awe as they brought the animals back to the Savior.

They found the animals just as He said; and they were immediately permitted to take them when they said what He commanded them to say.

And Matthew goes on to say, “The brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them” (v. 7).

Did you know that a king riding on a donkey was a symbol of peace?

If a king rode into town riding on a mighty stallion, there would be reason to be concerned.

But if he rode into town on a humble donkey, it could be taken as an overture of peace. And that's how Jesus chose to ride into town in that first “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem.

He came to bring peace between God and man through His sacrifice on the cross.

I can't help from pointing something else out to you. Do you notice that there was not one animal provided, but two—a female donkey and her colt?

And do you notice that it was the colt that our Lord rode upon—an animal on which no one else had ever ridden?

If He rode on the colt—which was a symbol not only of peace, but of purity and innocence—then why did He see to it that the colt's mother was brought along as well?

I see our Savior's mercy in this.

He is so kind that He would neither bring the colt along without it's mother, nor distress the mother by taking her colt away from her. Our Savior, in His first entry into the city, was merciful and gracious in every way—even to the beasts on which He rode.

* * * * * * * * * *

Third, let's consider . . .

3. THE CELEBRATION AT HIS ENTRY (vv. Matt 21: 8-9).

Matthew 21:8–9 KJV 1900

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

When the disciples laid their clothes on the colt for the Lord to sit on, they were doing what would have been appropriate with regard to His identity as the long-awaited King—just as regal embroidery would be appropriate to decorate the beast that a king would ride upon.

But since they didn't have regal coverings to place Jesus on, they used their own cloaks instead.

And likewise, we're told that “a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road” before the Lord (v. 8a); as if to lay before Him the symbol of their own submission to Him as King.

What's more, we're told that “others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (v. 8b).

John, in his Gospel, tells us that these were the branches of palm trees (John 12:13); and in Scripture, palm branches are used as symbols of a sense of joy and victory for the people of God.

John 12:13 KJV 1900

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, for example, the people of Israel were told, “'And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days'” (Leviticus 23:40).

Leviticus 23:40 KJV 1900

And I can't help but mention that, when all of God's redeemed people are described in the book of Revelation as finally safe and in His presence in heavenly glory, the are said to be worshiping Him “clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Rev. 7:9). How appropriate that the people celebrate Him in this way!

Revelation 7:9 KJV 1900

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

We're told this great multitude was following before Him and behind Him. And look at what the people said about Him.

They shouted “Hosanna”, which means, “Save now, O Lord!”

It's both an earnest request, and a blessing.

They shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David”; which is a recognition of Jesus' identity as the long-promised Messiah.

They said, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD”; which is an expression of Messianic hope from Psalm 118:26.

Psalm 118:26 KJV 1900

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

And they shouted, “Hosanna in the highest”; which was their affirmation that Jesus' coming into the city was a cause of thanks to God.

And when it comes to you and me today—who have the advantage of knowing fully what He has accomplished for us—how much more should we greet Him, and celebrate Him, and submit ourselves fully to His coming as our Savior!

* * * * * * * * * *

Finally, notice . . .

4. THE REACTION TO HIS ENTRY (vv. Matt 21: 10-11).

Matthew 21:10–11 KJV 1900

10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

We're told that, when He had come into Jerusalem, “all the city was moved”.

But that translation of the word is probably not strong enough.

The word itself means that the whole city was shaken and put into a commotion!

Imagine this great crowd, as it marched into the city, shouting and celebrating and signing 'hosannas' to the Lord! It must have caused quite an uproar!

We're told that the people of the city were saying, “Who is this?”

And not everyone was singing “hosanna”!

Matthew goes on to tell us a few verses later that the chief priests were very angry with Him.

They were urging Him to tell the children in the temple to stop saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (v. Matt 21: 15).

Matthew 21:15 KJV 1900

15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

They demanded of Him that He tell them by whose authority He was doing the things He did (v.Matt 21: 23).

Matthew 21:23 KJV 1900

23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

But you have to admit—when Jesus makes His entry, and He is recognized for who He is, it stirs things up.

People wanted to know who this is and what all the commotion was about.

And the multitudes that followed Him told them; “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee”.

He comes in humility; but He comes to put people at the fork of a decision.

No one can encounter Him without coming to the decision of what they will do with Him—either to place their trust in His sacrifice on the cross, or to reject Him completely.

And because it was to die on the cross for the sins of mankind, what we choose to do with Him at His first entry into the city is going to determine our eternal destiny at His second entry.

* * * * * * * * * *

what will you do with Him?

The Lord's Supper is meant—to some degree—to move us to an answer to that question.

It's meant to make us take a look at His first “triumphal entry” as our Savior on the cross; and cause us to look ahead to His second “triumphal entry” when He'll be the Judge of all the earth.

The apostle Paul said that we are to remember that "as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26; emph. added).

1 Corinthians 11:26 KJV 1900

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

So; let's learn from the story of His first “triumphal entry” how we should receive Him.

Let's receive Him as One whose coming was promised by God, and prepared far in advance for our salvation.

Let's recognize that He comes meek and mild and lowly; not as our Judge now, but as our Savior; and as One who takes our sins upon Himself at the cross, so that we need not experience the fear of judgment when He comes again.

Let's celebrate Him as the promised King—whose coming is the answer to the cry, “Save now, O Lord!”

And above all, let's be sure that we place our trust fully in that which He came into Jerusalem to accomplish for us long ago.

Let's be sure that we have deliberately and personally placed our faith on His sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

Because if we fully embrace Jesus' "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem then, we will be able to stand at His glorious “triumphal entry” yet to come.

The Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday

Matthew 21 : 1-11

Matthew 21:1–11 KJV 1900

Triumphant Entry

Introduction

It’s on my heart this morning to talk about what we often call the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

One writer set the stage for this event and those that followed by saying…

It’s early in the final week.

The props and players for Crucifixion drama are in position.

Six-inch spikes are in the bin.

A cross-beam leans against a shed wall.

Thorn limbs are wrapped around a trellis awaiting the weaving of a soldier’s fingers.

The participants are nearing the stage.

Pilate is concerned at the number of Passover pilgrims.

Annas and Caiaphas are restless over a volatile Nazarene.

Judas views his master with evasive eyes.

A centurion is available, awaiting the next crucifixions.

Players and props. Only this is no play, it’s a divine plan.

A plan begun before Adam felt heaven’s breath and now all heaven waits and watches.

All eyes are on one figure – the Nazarene.

Commonly clad.

Uncommonly focused.

Leaving Jericho and walking toward Jerusalem.

He doesn’t chatter.

He doesn’t pause.

He is on a journey.

His final journey.

Even the angels are silent.

They know this is no ordinary walk.

They know this is no ordinary week.

For hinged on this week is the door of eternity.

Let’s walk with him.

Let’s see how Jesus spent his final days.

Let’s see what mattered to God.

When a man knows the end is near - only the important surfaces.

Impending death distills the vital.

The trivial is bypassed.

The unnecessary is overlooked.

That which is vital remains.

So, if you would know Christ, ponder his final days.

He knew the end was near.

He knew the finality of crucifixion .

He read the last chapter before it was written and heard the final chorus before it was sung.

As a result, the critical was filtered from the casual.

Distilled truths taught.

Deliberate deeds done.

Each step calculated.

Every act premeditated.

Knowing he had just one week with the disciples, what did Jesus tell them?

Knowing it would be his last time in the temple, how did he act?

Conscious that the last sand was slipping through the hourglass, what mattered?

Enter the holy week and observe.

Feel his passion.

Laughing as children sing.

Weeping as Jerusalem ignores.

Scorning as priests accuse.

Pleading as disciples sleep.

Feeling sad as Pilate turns. Sense his power.

Blind eyes...seeing. Fruitless tree...withering.

Money changers...hastening away. religious leaders...cowering. Tomb...opening.

Hear his promise.

Death has no power.

Failure holds no prisoners.

Fear has no control.

For God has come,

God has come into your world...to take you home.

Let’s follow Jesus on his final journey.

For by observing his, we may learn how to make ours.

(Max Lucado – “And The Angels Were Silent”)

This event before us now is one of those wonderful and intriguing events in the life of the Lord Jesus which is recorded by all four of the gospel writers;

all four bringing something unique and distinct to the retelling of this occurrence.

The TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (was) the entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem on the Sunday or Monday prior to His crucifixion.

Due to the fact that palm branches were placed before Him, this day is often called “Palm Sunday.”

The event is recorded in Matthew 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-15.

Matthew 21:1–9 KJV 1900

Mark 11:1–10 KJV 1900

Luke 19:29–38 KJV 1900

29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. 31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him. 35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. 36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

John 12:12–15 KJV 1900

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

All accounts agree in substance with each adding certain detail.

Whether by prearrangement or by divine foreknowledge, the disciples found a colt in Bethphage as Jesus had described (Matthew ties the account closely to Zechariah’s prophecy Zech 9:9), mentioning the colt and its mother.)

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

It is likely that Christ rode the donkey for the more difficult part of the journey, transferring to the colt upon actually entering Jerusalem.

There a large crowd applauded Him, spreading the road with their garments and with branches. They acknowledged Him as the son of David. The triumphal entry is of vital significance in understanding the messianic mission of Jesus.

Prior to this moment, Jesus had refused to allow any public acknowledgment of His being the Messiah.

By conducting His ministry outside Jerusalem, He had avoided further intensification of conflict with the Jewish religious leaders.

Now, however, the time was at hand. The opponents of Jesus understood the strong messianic implications of the manner of His entry into Jerusalem.

The riding upon the colt, the garments and palm branches in the road, and the shouts of the multitude – all of this pointed to Jesus as the Messiah.

When He was urged to quiet the people, Jesus replied, “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out!” (Luke 19:40).

Luke 19:40 KJV 1900

40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

(Steve Echols from the Holman Bible Dictionary)

I want us to notice a few things about the situation and significance of His entrance into Jerusalem, and as we do…

I. LET’S CONSIDER THE REVELATIONS INVOLVED IN THIS ENTRANCE

A. This Account Reveals The Hour Of Christ

1. Notice The Mentions Of This Hour

a. In Prophecy (Matthew 21:4-5) All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, {5} Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Matthew 21:4–5 KJV 1900

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

The quote is from the prophet Zechariah… (Zechariah 9:9) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

“Behold,” commands both attention and admiration. (Matthew Henry)

Zechariah wrote this some 500 years before it happened. And yet the cry of the crowd was penned about a 1,000 years before this event.

(Psalms 118:24-26) This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. {25} Save now, I beseech thee (yasha na anna – Hebrew words that combine to form the word “Hosanna), O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. {26} Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

Psalm 118:24–26 KJV 1900

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

b. In Postponement

(John 2:4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

John 2:4 KJV 1900

4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

(John 7:30) Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

John 7:30 KJV 1900

30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

(John 8:20) These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

John 8:20 KJV 1900

20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

2. Notice The Manifestation Of This Hour

(John 12:23) And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

John 12:23 KJV 1900

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

(John 13:1) Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 13:1 KJV 1900

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

B. This Account Reveals His Humility Of Character

1. There Is An Evidence Of Humility In The Transportation Ironically, though the triumphal entry was a public acceptance of being the Messiah and presented a direct challenge to His enemies, it must have been a disappointment to many of His followers.

Christ did not enter Jerusalem upon a war horse of conquest (as in Revelation 19:11) but upon a colt representing humility. (Steve Echols)

Revelation 19:11 KJV 1900

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Later we will see that there is a certain dignity suggested in the riding of the mule and the donkey in Israel, but there is also a sense of commonness in the riding of the donkey. (Festus Hagen road a mule on “Gunsmoke”)

He speaks as a man of need. He who could see all things and foretell all things confesses to His personal necessity.

The head that carried all knowledge had not where to sleep, of its own right and title.

And again in that very self-same sentence He used a word which throws the term need into striking contrast -- Lord.

Such strange mixture do we find in the talk of this Man. Lord and need in the same sentence.

He does not give up His royalty because of His necessity, nor does His royalty and lordship save Him from need.

And yet what need could he have who had but to express the wish and it was instantly complied with? It was a sweet necessity, it was the pain of that hunger which had wherewith to satisfy itself. (Dr. Joseph Parker from The Biblical Illustrator)

2. There Is An Evidence Of Humility In The Terms (Zechariah 9:9) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900

lowly – Hebrew 6041. 'aniy, aw-nee'; from H6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances:--afflicted, humble, needy, poor.

(Matthew 21:5) Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Matthew 21:5 KJV 1900

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

meek – Greek 4239. praus, prah-ooce'; appar. a prim. word; mild, i.e. (by impl.) humble:--meek.

C. This Account Reveals The Human Condition (As Seen In The Donkey)

1. Notice The Donkey’s Place

a. It Was In A Place Of Crossroads (Mark 11:4) And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

Mark 11:4 KJV 1900

4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

b. It Was In A Place Of Crudeness (Matthew 21:1) And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Bethphage – means the house of crudeness; or the house of the unripe fig. It has the idea of being undeveloped.

Matthew 21:1 KJV 1900

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2. Notice The Donkey’s Personality

A donkey is generally known for being willful and stubborn, and this one in particular was not broken.

(Mark 11:2) And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

Mark 11:2 KJV 1900

2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

Here is an animal that no one had ever sat on – but Jesus sat on him, and he was quiet, responsive, and obedient, and carried him through the streets of the city.

(Ray Stedman on Mark 11) When Jesus came into this stubborn one’s life, it is completely surrendered to the will of the master.

Mark 11 KJV 1900

1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. 7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. 8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: 10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. 11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. 12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

In spite of the importance of the donkey’s role in the fulfillment of prophecy, he still plays a bit part. His job is to lift up Jesus so that

Jesus can be seen by the crowds.

All of these things reminds us of our own condition when Jesus found us.

This colt had never been broken in; it had never found its right place until it was requisitioned for the use of the Lord, and none of us are in our right place until we are subdued to Him.

We were destined for that purpose from our birth.

There is a certain protective restraint exercised over all those who are marked out to carry the Lord in testimony; a restraint is put upon them in the ways of God so that they are held.

The ways of God do not begin with us when we are converted; there comes a moment when the Lord requisitions us.

As we have often seen in this gospel, it is not so much that man needs God but that God needs man.

So here the Lord had need of the colt; it was requisitioned for a special purpose.

The colt was subdued – who would trust himself to ride on an unbroken colt?

The fact that the Lord rode on an unbroken colt intimates that the power by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself has already subdued that which can carry Him in testimony. (C.A. Coates – Luke)

II. LET’S CONSIDER THE ROLES INVOLVED IN THIS ENTRANCE

A. Notice The Role Of The Co-workers

1. We Find The Obscurity Of These Two (We don’t know which disciples they were.)

(Matthew 21:1) And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

Matthew 21:1 KJV 1900

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2. We Find The Obedience Of These Two

(Matthew 21:2-3) Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. {3} And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

Matthew 21:2–3 KJV 1900

(Matthew 21:6) And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

Matthew 21:6 KJV 1900

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

B. Notice The Role Of The Colt

1. Consider The Colt’s Master Mark 11:5-6; Luke 19:33-34 (Mark 11:5-6) And certain of them that stood there said unto them,

Mark 11:5–6 KJV 1900

5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

Luke 19:33–34 KJV 1900

33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

Mark 11:5–6 KJV 1900

5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

What do ye, loosing the colt? {6} And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

(Luke 19:33-34) And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? {34} And they said,

Luke 19:33–34 KJV 1900

33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

The Lord hath need of him.

The owner of the ass was no doubt a disciple or well-wisher of Jesus, and therefore readily consented to respond to the Master’s need. (J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton – The Fourfold Gospel)

The will of the “Lord” superceded the will of the owner.

2. Consider The Colt’s Mother (Only Matthew mentions both the donkey and its colt. The mother may have been brought to calm the colt.)

Some think that he had herein an eye to the custom in Israel for the judges to ride upon white asses (Judges 5:10), and their sons on ass-colts, Judges 12:14. (Matthew Henry)

Judges 5:10 KJV 1900

10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, Ye that sit in judgment, And walk by the way.

Judges 12:14 KJV 1900

14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

In the song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5, it was said… (Judges 5:10) Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.

Judges 5 KJV 1900

1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, When the people willingly offered themselves. 3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. 4 Lord, When thou wentest out of Seir, When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, The earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, The clouds also dropped water. 5 The mountains melted from before the Lord, Even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel. 6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, In the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, And the travellers walked through byways. 7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel. 8 They chose new gods; Then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or spear seen Among forty thousand in Israel? 9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, That offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord. 10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, Ye that sit in judgment, And walk by the way. 11 They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, Even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: Then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates. 12 Awake, awake, Deborah: Awake, awake, utter a song: Arise, Barak, And lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. 13 Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: The Lord made me have dominion over the mighty. 14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; After thee, Benjamin, among thy people; Out of Machir came down governors, And out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. 15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; Even Issachar, and also Barak: He was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. 16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. 17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: And why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, And abode in his breaches. 18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death In the high places of the field. 19 The kings came and fought, Then fought the kings of Canaan In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; They took no gain of money. 20 They fought from heaven; The stars in their courses fought against Sisera. 21 The river of Kishon swept them away, That ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. 22 Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, The pransings of their mighty ones. 23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, Curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; Because they came not to the help of the Lord, To the help of the Lord against the mighty. 24 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, Blessed shall she be above women in the tent. 25 He asked water, and she gave him milk; She brought forth butter in a lordly dish. 26 She put her hand to the nail, And her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; And with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, When she had pierced and stricken through his temples. 27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: At her feet he bowed, he fell: Where he bowed, there he fell down dead. 28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, And cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariots? 29 Her wise ladies answered her, Yea, she returned answer to herself, 30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; To every man a damsel or two; To Sisera a prey of divers colours, A prey of divers colours of needlework, Of divers colours of needlework on both sides, Meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? 31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: But let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Judges 5:10 KJV 1900

10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, Ye that sit in judgment, And walk by the way.

(Judges 10:3-4) And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. {4} And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

Judges 10:3–4 KJV 1900

3 And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. 4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

(Judges 12:13-14) And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. {14} And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

Judges 12:13–14 KJV 1900

13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. 14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.

Perhaps the donkey was brought for the great judge Jehovah and the colt was brought for the Son of the judge.

C. Notice The Role Of The Crowd

1. Look At What They Spread

(Matthew 21:8) And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strowed them in the way.

Matthew 21:8 KJV 1900

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

a. Their Poor Suits garments – Greek 2440. himation, him-at'-ee-on; neut. of a presumed der. of ennumi (to put on); a dress (inner or outer):--apparel, cloke, clothes, garment, raiment, robe, vesture.

b. Their Palm Shoots

b1. Palm Branches Are Associated With The (Meal) Feast Of Tabernacles Leviticus 23:40-44 The Deliverance Of God’s People

Leviticus 23:40–44 KJV 1900

40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. 41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: 43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. 44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the Lord.

b2. Palm Branches Are Associated With The Millennial Temple Ezekiel 40:16, 22, 26, 31, 34, 37 The Devotion Of God’s People

Ezekiel 40:16 KJV 1900

16 And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees.

Ezekiel 40:22 KJV 1900

22 And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them.

Ezekiel 40:26 KJV 1900

26 And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.

Ezekiel 40:31 KJV 1900

31 And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:34 KJV 1900

34 And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.

Ezekiel 40:37 KJV 1900

37 And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps.

b3. Palm Branches Are Associated With Maximum Triumph Revelation 7:9 The Destination Of God’s People

Revelation 7:9 KJV 1900

2. Listen To What They Said

a. Many Were Claiming His Identity (Matthew 21:9) And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 21:9 KJV 1900

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

a1. In A Beseeching Cry Hosanna Hosanna means, “Oh, Save!” or “Save Now!” (Psalms 118:25) Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Psalm 118:25 KJV 1900

25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

a2. In A Blessing Cry Blessed Is He... (Psalms 118:26) Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

Psalm 118:26 KJV 1900

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

b. Many Were Curious About His Identity (Matthew 21:10) And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

Matthew 21:10 KJV 1900

10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

III. LET’S CONSIDER THE RIDER INVOLVED IN THIS ENTRANCE

A. Jesus Rode In Like A Sovereign Monarch

(Matthew 21:4-5) All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, {5} Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

Matthew 21:4–5 KJV 1900

(Matthew 21:9) And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 21:9 KJV 1900

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

1. There Is A Kingly Connection To The Colt Numerous Scripture references show that the ass was held in high estimation in the East. The sons of the judges used them, and David’s mule was used at the coronation of Solomon (Judges 10:4; 1 Kings 1:33). (J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton – The Fourfold Gospel)

Judges 10:4 KJV 1900

4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-jair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

1 Kings 1:33 KJV 1900

33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

(1 Kings 1:33) The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

1 Kings 1:33 KJV 1900

33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

The Bible says that when Solomon became king…

(1 Kings 1:40) And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

1 Kings 1:40 KJV 1900

40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.

And similarly, the Bible says that when Jesus rode into Jerusalem…

(Luke 19:37-38) And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; {38} Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

Luke 19:37–38 KJV 1900

37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

2. There Is A Kingly Connection To The Clothes

(Matthew 21:6-7) And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, {7} And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

Matthew 21:6–7 KJV 1900

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

Cf. (2 Kings 9:13) Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.

2 Kings 9:13 KJV 1900

13 Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.

B. Jesus Rode In Like A Saving Messenger

1. Look At The Hosanna Cry

(Matthew 21:9) And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 21:9 KJV 1900

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

hosanna – Greek 5614. hosanna, ho-san-nah'; of Heb. or. [H3467 and H4994]; oh save!; hosanna (i.e. hoshia-na), an exclamation of adoration.

3467. yasha', yaw-shah'; a prim. root; prop. to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by impl.) to be safe; causat. to free or succor:-- X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

4994. na', naw; a prim. particle of incitement and entreaty, which may usually be rendered I pray, now or then; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperat. or Fut.), or to interj., occasionally to an adv. or conj.:--I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.

Cf. (Psalms 118:25) Save now, I beseech thee (yasha na anna – Hebrew words that combine to form the word “Hosanna), O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Psalm 118:25 KJV 1900

25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

2. Look At A Historical Correlation

The order commanding the murder of all the Jews in the empire was sent by means (of a messenger) – Esther 3:13-15.

Esther 3:13–15 KJV 1900

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

The order that counteracted this proclamation was sent by “couriers, riding the royal horses (mules and camels, KJV), raced out, spurred on by the king’s command.”

(James M. Freeman – Manners & Customs of the Bible)

(Esther 8:10) And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

Esther 8:10 KJV 1900

10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

These riders were bringing a message of salvation to the Hebrew people.

C. Jesus Rode In Like A Serving Missionary

1. There Is A Survey Of His Work

(Mark 11:11) And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

Mark 11:11 KJV 1900

11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

(Luke 19:41) And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Luke 19:41 KJV 1900

41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

wept – Greek 2799. klaio, klah'-yo; of uncert. affin.; to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas G1145 is rather to cry silently):--bewail. weep.

2. There Is A Similarity In The Word

(Nehemiah 1:3-4) And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. {4} And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

Nehemiah 1:3–4 KJV 1900

3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

(Nehemiah 2:12-14) And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. {13} And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. {14} Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.

Nehemiah 2:12–14 KJV 1900

12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. 13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. 14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.

Both of these men looked out over the city where their work would be accomplished.

Conclusion

I was reading about the president’s inaugural parade.

The nation’s third president Thomas Jefferson was the first to take his oath in Washington, D.C.

Afterward he rode his horse to the president’s mansion.

Woodrow Wilson’s first inaugural parade in 1913 was the largest with 40,000 participants.

Sometimes the president will get out and walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the grandstand greeting and waving as he goes.

Once the parade is over he assumes his role.

Similarly, Jesus rode into the city in a grand parade before He occupied his office on Calvary.

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