4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats.
Once again, Matthew shows the actions of Jesus to be a fulfillment of prophecy, in this case that ofZechariah 9:9. The prophet foresaw a return to the land in full blessing, with victory over the nations completed—something that had not yet happened, even though physically Israel was in the land.
The symbolism of this “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem would have certainly electrified the crowds on two accounts. First, Jesus’ grand entrance at that time would unmistakably be seen as patterned after Zechariah’s prophecy—tacit evidence that He was consciously coming in the image of the Messiah, something which would have irked the Jewish leaders to no end. If true, the long awaited prophetic fulfillment was unfolding. The people were excited.
Second, the imagery of someone entering the city with great pomp riding on a donkey was significant. In the ancient world, when a new king entered a city on a horse, it meant he was coming in military conquest. But, to ride in on a donkey, a common beast of burden, was indicative of a benevolent king coming in peace, having previously settled the matter of war and conquest. Now was the time for rejoicing, for a new order of peace had arrived. Thus, Christ’s mode of transportation was intended to bring in peace and a new order.
Notice, the disciples made no objection nor raised any questions for clarification. In their minds, this was far more palatable than talk of His suffering and death (seeMatt 20:18-19). Certainly more exciting, this was the big day, when Jesus was making His move. While the disciples and Jesus perfectly aligned in this grand event, their joining together was strictly about the surface details. Human perceptions are so faulty, so limited, so superficial. Little did they realize at that time, what Jesus had been warning them about all along. This great entrance would not precipitate the restoration of the kingdom at this time. Rather, He was about to be rejected as the King of Israel, the Messiah. The prophetic time clock of Zechariah would be put on hold, while the events demonstrated that even when Messiah was present, the heart of the people was stone cold in rejecting God. Sin had to be shown for what it was, not simply a misunderstanding, mistake or superficial failing, but a flat out rejection of God Himself.
Lord, as I see increasingly that sinfulness is rooted in rejection of Your Kingship, I also see Your grace more and more as greater than all my sin.
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