RIDING ON A DONKEY

A prince is identified with privilege, rank, and special benefits, but Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, a symbol of lowliness. His entrance is greeted with affirmation and acclamation. There is a joyous mood in the crowd as the people anticipate the promise of the prophets before them.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off; He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth."  (Zechariah 9:9-10 NKJV)

The promise of peace for a people plagued by war and strife was wonderful news. Perhaps now their long agony would come to an end. The promise of peace is enough to make suffering people celebrate. Do you suffer today? Sometimes the wars within are as devastating as the wars without. At some time in our lives, most of us will know the darkness of loneliness, disappointment, and despair. When the prince of peace comes to offer release, redemption, help, and hope, we are also filled with joy and the “hosannas” burst from our lips as well.

Jesus chose the way of peace in a violent world. He taught His disciples to do the same. Just for a moment Peter forgot, and because of that, one in the arresting party lost an ear. But still Jesus rebuked Peter and courageously continued His journey as the Prince of Peace on the way to His own death.  

-- Rueben P. Job in “A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God”

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HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID

Hosanna is a word used in some songs of praise, particularly on Palm Sunday. It is of Hebrew origin and was part of the shout of the multitudes as Jesus entered Jerusalem: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9).

Hosanna is often thought of as a declaration of praise, similar to hallelujah, but it is actually a plea for salvation. The Hebrew root words are found in Psalm 118:25, which says, “Save us, we pray, O LORD!” (ESV). The Hebrew words yasha (“deliver, save”) and anna (“beg, beseech”) combine to form the word that, in English, is “hosanna.” Literally, hosanna means “I beg you to save!” or “please deliver us!”

So, as Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem, the crowds were perfectly right to shout “Hosanna!” They were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah, as shown in their address “Son of David.” Theirs was a cry for salvation and a recognition that Jesus is able to save.

Later that day, Jesus was in the temple, and the children present were again shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:15). The chief priests and the teachers of the Law were displeased: “’Do You hear what these children are saying?’ they asked Him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants You, Lord, have called forth Your praise”’?” (Matthew 21:16). In saying, “Hosanna!” the people were crying out for salvation, and that’s exactly why Jesus had come. Within the week Jesus would be hanging on a cross. 

-- From Got Questions Ministries, gotquestions.org

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WHO IS THIS?

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Jesus and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’” (Matthew 21:8-10 NIV)

The Triumphal Entry got so many things right but the crucial things wrong. Jesus received a royal welcome for shortsighted reasons. Those who cut the branches and spread their coats expected a lot from Jesus. They didn’t expect enough. They wanted a king; they needed so much more.

The Triumphal Entry represents all of those clear motives when humanity has expressed its strongest wishes for God to intervene, but has mistaken its own purpose for God’s. This opening scene in Jesus’ final week serves as a reminder of all the ways in which Jesus’ entry into history was misunderstood even by those who were expecting Him. The Triumphal Entry teaches us to acknowledge Jesus Christ for who He really is…

Our understanding of Jesus Himself has much to do with the way we see and understand the Triumphal Entry. 

-- Adapted from “His Passion: Christ’s Journey to the Resurrection”

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YOUR KING COMES

“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”  (Matthew 21:6 NKJV)

Christ’s public Entry into Jerusalem seems altogether different from -- almost inconsistent with -- His previous mode of appearance. Evidently, the time for the silence so long enjoined has passed, and the time for public declaration had come. And such, indeed, this Entry was. From the moment of His sending forth the two disciples to His acceptance of the homage of the multitude, and His rebuke of the Pharisee’s attempt to arrest it, all must be regarded as designed or approved by Him; not only a public assertion of His Messiahship, but a claim to its national acknowledgement. And yet, even so, it was not to be the Messiah of Israel’s conception, but He of prophetic picture: “just and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.”…

There can, at least, be no question that this prophecy was intended to introduce, in contrast to earthly warfare and kingly triumph, another Kingdom, of which the just King would be the Prince of Peace, Who was meek and lowly in His Coming, Who would speak peace to the sinner, and Whose sway would yet extend to earth’s utmost bounds. 

-- Adapted from Alfred Edersheim in “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah”

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THE SO-CALLED "TRIUMPHAL ENTRY"

Things are not always what they seem! Such is certainly the case in [Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem]… The so-called “triumphal entry” of our Lord into Jerusalem is anything but a triumph, as we can see from the tears shed by our Lord in Luke's… account (Luke 19:41-44). Those who enthusiastically welcome Jesus to Jerusalem as the “King of Israel” are some of the same people who, in a week's time, will be crying out, “We have no king, but Caesar!” (John 19:15). Those who cry out, “Hosanna!” (Save now!)…, will be shouting, “He saved others. Let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, His chosen one!” (Luke 23:35). It is not a triumphal entry at all, but nonetheless it is a very significant event in the life of our Lord and in the history of the nation Israel...


The fact that every Gospel has an account of the “triumphal entry” of our Lord into Jerusalem indicates to us that it is indeed a most significant event. On our Lord's part, it is a most dramatic and emphatic claim to be the Messiah, the “King of Israel.” At the same time, it is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Jesus does not come as a conquering king, ready to lead Israel against the Romans, overthrowing their rule. He has come as the “Prince of Peace” and as the “Lamb of God,” whose death will provide the cure for sin. I am reminded of the spiritual that goes something like this, “Poor little Jesus boy, they didn't know who You was …” This song refers to the birth of our Lord, but it applies equally well to His “triumphal entry.” They still don't know who He is.


-- Robert L. Deffinbaugh, from bible.org




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