The Triumphal Entry 1 – Preparation
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
Horsham: 24th February 2025
This is one of those moments – there are others – where it is clear that Jesus has planned ahead. This would not be his first time in Jerusalem or Bethany. He was, after all, close friends with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He clearly knew where the colt he was after would be found, and had arranged a ‘password’ which would encourage the owner to immediately release this valuable animal into the care of his disciples.
The word ‘colt’ can refer to a young horse or a young donkey. Matthew’s version of this story tells us that the ‘colt’ in question was a donkey (Matthew 21:1-3). As we’ll see, this is an important distinction. Donkeys were a common sight in Palestine. They were (and across north Africa and the Middle East they still are) useful working animals, frequently used as a means of transport for goods and people. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, for example, the injured man was transported on the back of a donkey (Luke 10:25-37). Such a thing was normal. They were valuable animals, and so also treated with respect.
Kings would have a choice of transport. The contemporary image of a king who is on his way to fight a war, would be riding a horse, or in a chariot pulled by one or more horses. In this context, the horse is a symbol of power and strength. A king, however, who comes in peace would ride a donkey. The donkey symbolises humility. A donkey is a perfectly good mode of transport for a king (1 Kings 1:33). He may come in humility and peace, but he still comes as King.
Jesus chose to ride in to Jerusalem on a donkey. The colt of a donkey.
End Piece: It’s easy to overlook the powerful testimony of the man who owned the donkey colt and the valuable lesson he teaches us. It’s simple to describe, but very challenging to live out. It is this. If you own it, and Jesus needs it, he can have it.
Christ’s entry to Jerusalem is in the form of a carefully planned and constructed public display, in a tradition which we see in Jeremiah and other prophets of the Old Testament. ‘His action was a deliberate dramatic claim to be the Messiah.’ (Wm Barclay, Loc 5298)
These verses show that, whilst the outpouring of support from people which will follow on the streets of Jerusalem may have been spontaneous, Christ’s arrival on a donkey colt was not. It was actually carefully planned and designed to make a specific impact.
How would people recognise the gesture he was planning to make? The first century population of Palestine would put many of us to shame with their knowledge of Old Testament Scripture. To many, and certainly to the Jewish leaders, the reference would have been unmissable. Here was a dramatic scene which enacts a familiar prophecy:
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.