Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: 15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.” 16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him. John 12:15-17
As we talked about yesterday, people would lay palm branches before a king or general. Roman generals who were victorious in a war would come in golden carriages to put on a show of their importance. In contrast, Jesus is seen here riding a donkey. You can be sure that He was mocked at this moment for His arrival on such an animal. Even though people were praising and calling Him “King of Israel,” there were people there who didn’t see that. They saw Him riding in on His donkey and thought of Him as less. In Zachariah 9:9 it states, “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.” Jesus was fulfilling biblical prophecy. Whether people believed who He was or not, He still came and did what He was called to do.
Questions:
- What captured your attention?
- Did anything challenge you? Why?