John 12:12-19 CSB
The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, [13] they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord -the King of Israel!" [14] Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written: [15] Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt. [16] His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. [17] Meanwhile, the crowd, which had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify. [18] This is also why the crowd met him, because they heard he had done this sign. [19] Then the Pharisees said to one another, "You see? You've accomplished nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!"
Zechariah 9:9 CSB
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Riding on a Donkey
Sometimes I go back in my mind to the days of my youth. We did not have computers. Phones were connected to wires attached to the walls or sitting on a table. We did not feel the need to lock our doors; neighbors watched out for each other and especially for the children. I look back and yearn for those years.
It was not a pristine time, of course. There were riots, the Vietnam War was going strong, and we had not long been out of the Korean conflict. The Cold War with Russia was at its peak, and we would prepare for nuclear war by hiding under our desks at school. Yes, I know—as if that would have helped. But we played outside. We formed teams for football, basketball, and baseball. We played “army” or pretended to be in the Old West hunting outlaws. In those games, we dreamed of being mighty gunslingers, riding valiant horses and fearing nothing. No one ever thought about riding into the imaginary towns of our minds on a donkey.
Yet, this is exactly what we see in our reading today. Jesus says in Matthew 11: “Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
In just a few days, the crowds would turn. They would listen to the religious leaders and denounce Jesus. But not today. On this day, as prophesied, the Messiah rode into Jerusalem on a donkey with her colt. The massive attention given to Jesus was fueled by the word spreading that He had raised a local man, Lazarus, from the dead.
While many churches celebrate Palm Sunday today as a modern tradition, we have to look back at the actual event. On that historic afternoon, the people watching Jesus’ entry waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna!” In Hebrew, Hosanna means “Save us now,” though it later became a word used for praise.
The people of that time knew the prophecies well. They knew Jesus was riding in as the Messiah, the one to save Israel. Jesus had previously said that we have the witness of the prophets—the very words of the Old Testament. By fulfilling over three hundred prophecies, including this humble entry on a colt, Jesus proved He is exactly who He claimed to be. He didn’t come on a war horse to overthrow Rome; He came on a donkey to overthrow death.
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think we often prefer the “mighty gunslinger” image of a Savior over the “lowly and humble” one Jesus presented? How does His humility actually provide “rest for your soul”?
- The crowd cried “Save us now!” thinking of political freedom. In what area of your life are you currently crying out “Save me now,” and are you willing to let Jesus save you in His way rather than yours?
- The crowd met Jesus because they heard about the miracle of Lazarus. Who in your life needs to hear your testimony of what Jesus has “raised to life” in you?
Prayer
Father,
We thank You for the humility of our King. We thank You that You didn’t come to us in a way that would terrify us, but in a way that invites us to find rest. Help us to keep our eyes on the prophecies fulfilled, trusting that the same Jesus who rode into Jerusalem to die is the same Jesus who will one day return in glory. Keep our hearts from turning away when the path gets difficult.
Amen.
