Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry

Jesus finally arrives to the city of Jerusalem. To make an entry according to the Scriptures (Zech.9:9), he asks two of his disciples to bring him a colt of a donkey. They place some cloaks over it and Jesus rides it into the city. By this act, he is proclaiming to all his identity. So many times he asked people to keep it a secret, but now it is out in the open. This is the Son of David, the Lord, the Messiah, the King of Israel, the prophet to come. The crowd is stirred up in a frenzy as they welcome him into the city with much rejoicing.

The donkey was an animal used by ordinary people for cargo and transportation. It was used by royalty in the days of king David and eventually it became a symbol of humility and peace. As Jesus rides into the city, he not only proclaims his identity as the Son of David, but he also proclaims that he comes in humility and peace. Unfortunately, despite the frenzy, the people then did not understand who Jesus really was. 

Would I have known who Jesus really was then? Or would I have been one more in the crowd who expected Jesus to overturn Roman rule and reign immediately? Do I know who he is today? Is he just a good man to me? Is he just a great healer of the past to me? Or is he my Savior? My Lord? My King? Do I live my life like I truly believe it? Or am I like the crowd, in a frenzy for the moment, but when the "rubber meets the road," I cry "Crucify him!"? When given a choice between Jesus and any other revolutionary cause, do I choose Jesus?

Despite his riding into the city in humility and peace, he was condemned like a thief to one of the most violent of deaths - death on a cross. The humble one suffered in the hands of an arrogant people who did not recognize him. The peaceful one was violently mocked, spat on, and nailed to a tree. In a divine act of irony, his suffering in the hands of the arrogant humbles my heart as I believe in him. And the violence he experienced up to his death results in peace for my mind when I turn to him in my turmoil.

Father, thanks for sending your Son, Jesus Christ upon the earth. Grow my faith to believe he is my Savior, Lord, and King. May I live my life like I truly believe it. May humility and peace fill my life forever.