Holy Week Begins
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is prophesied:
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
Zechariah 9:9
500 years before the birth of Jesus, the priest and prophet Zechariah describes the event that will come to be known as “Palm Sunday, Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem”.
Zechariah is speaking to the people of Israel after their exile, as they returned to Jerusalem. He is encouraging them to rebuild the temple and return to obedience to their God who will deliver them from all evil and restore His kingdom on earth.
Why a donkey?
In the time of this writing kings were known to enter cities and towns on the backs of mighty horses, war horses. This new “King” just as victorious and righteous, will enter Jerusalem humbly, on the back of a donkey.
The donkey was a symbol of peace throughout the Old Testament writings that were familiar to the Jews, and this king will enter with a different agenda. The king prophesied of in Zechariah is, of course, the “Prince of Peace”, the Messiah—Jesus Christ.
The Messiah, Jesus Christ, will bring peace, comfort, righteousness, and forgiveness. He will, Zechariah later writes, be rejected by the very people He had come to save.
Have you ever witnessed a “triumphal entry”?
Perhaps it was a President or some other dignitary coming to your town, not humbly, but with pomp and fanfare.
I remember as a young man my favorite baseball team, upon returning from a disappointing World Series loss, returned to town with a parade. Culminating with entry into their stadium, the star player entered on a motorcycle. He was met with loud cheers of excitement and shouts of joy and praise. We knew he, and the team, were worthy of the adulation.
But that was earthly praise.
The praise exhibited by the Believers on Palm Sunday, as recorded in the Gospels, was heavenly and everlasting praise for the true “Prince of Peace”.
The praise was short-lived. Jesus would be rejected. Tried and crucified, He would die, only to be Resurrected for us on Easter Sunday.
The week of the Passion has begun.
Pray:
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son for our redemption. Keep my heart filled with the excitement of Christ’s arrival and the joy I will experience upon His return.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen