

And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road: We like this slice from the life of Jesus because it simply feels so right. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.Ī. ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’īlessed is the kingdom of our father DavidĪnd Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. So they let them go: Apparently, Jesus had pre-arranged this with the colt owner, and the disciples were just instructed to say, “It’s for Jesus,” if they were questioned. They spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded.

He was the Creator come into this scene as a Man, and as such all the lower creatures were subject to Him.” (Ironside)ĭ. On which no one had sat: “To Jesus it made no difference that this was an unbroken colt. Since Israel considered itself worthy, they only looked for a triumphant, conquering Messiah. In the days of Jesus, some Rabbis reconciled these by saying that the Messiah would come humbly to an unworthy Israel but mightily to a worthy Israel. Based on Zechariah 9:9, some thought that the Messiah would come in a lowly and humble way, riding on a colt. Based on Daniel 7:13, some thought the Messiah would come as a majestic conqueror. The Rabbis of Jesus’ day had several different theories regarding how the Messiah would come to Jerusalem. Jesus didn’t come to Jerusalem as a conquering general, but as a suffering (though triumphant) servant. This is because in that day, to come riding a colt – as opposed to a mighty war-horse – was to come as a man of peace.

He deliberately chose a young horse, not a stallion, not a donkey, and not coming on foot. You will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat: With this, Jesus established that He would enter Jerusalem riding on a colt. Since the time was short before His crucifixion, Jesus left nothing to chance.Ĭ. At the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples: As Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem, He carefully and deliberately sent His disciples to make arrangements for His arrival into the city. Jesus, like any devout Jewish man, went to Jerusalem for as many of the major feasts as He possibly could.ī. But the Gospel of John tells us of many previous trips. Now when they drew near to Jerusalem: If all we had was the Gospel of Mark, we might think this was Jesus’ first journey to Jerusalem. But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat.
