When they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. So they went and found a young donkey outside in the street, tied by a door. They brought the donkey to Jesus and threw their robes on it, and He sat on it. Many people spread their robes on the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting: Hosanna! He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One! The coming kingdom of our father David is blessed! Hosanna in the highest heaven! Mark 11:1-2, 4, 7-10
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. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The bow of war will be removed, and He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:9-10
My words…
Praise
You knew this would be Your last journey into Jerusalem, and You knew this would be the time You would fulfill Zechariah’s prophesy written 500 years before. It was time to find the colt and attend Your coronation as King. You didn’t arrive on a horse and saddle like a warrior. You rode an animal of peace with coats of Your followers to sit on. Trumpets and cymbals didn’t accost Your ears; they were caressed by the praise of the people who had felt Your healing touch, learned from Your parables, and witnessed Your compassion. Some had been following You for days, months, or years, walking from town to town, sleeping on the ground or in a borrowed bed. Not the life of a king. But when You mounted a donkey as You entered Jerusalem, Your royal processional began – Your Triumphal Entry. The people recognized it for what it was. It was not proper that the feet of the animal carrying the King should touch the ground, so they carpeted the path with branches. “Hosanna!” they shouted. “Save us!” It was as if the people finally “got it,” and they could not hold back their praise. The Apostles soaked in the adulation, proud to say to anyone who would listen, “I’m with this guy. I travel with the King.” It wasn’t much of a coronation, compared to that of Solomon, for example. But Your Triumphal Entry “fit.” It fit Your message of humility, approachability, and simplicity. My spirit is lifted each time I read it.
Prayer for me
Not long after this coronation event, You were killed. The mood of the city darkened and the cries of “Hosanna!” were replaced by the shouts of “Crucify Him!” The Apostles, who had followed You for years, scattered. Would I have attended Your coronation and shouted “Hosanna!”? Absolutely. At Your crucifixion, would I have scattered? Probably. I come to You, the well where I draw strength, and ask for a deeper faith, so during the dark times, I will not scatter.
Forgive me
Forgive me when I neglect to praise You for the innumerable reasons You should be praised. You are my King, but I don’t spend enough time and energy proclaiming that to You or others.
Thank You
Thank You for riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, sitting on other people’s coats. You accepted the praise of the poorest of Jews, laying branches at Your feet. I am so grateful to know that I don’t have to hold a position of power, wear fancy clothes, or claim a certain level of education to praise You. You accept praise from anyone.
More praise
You are the blessed One who came down from the highest heaven where angelic praise is perfect and fitting, to a dusty road riding on a donkey, accepting the inharmonious praise of imperfect people. And it was all right with You. And that’s another thing I love about You. Hosanna, Lord! Save me!
