Seated on a Donkey's Colt
Scripture Passage: John 12:12-19 (NASB)
12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 17 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18 For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”
SUMMARY
On the day we equate to as Palm Sunday today, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey's colt. This was in fulfillment of the Scripture, Zechariah 9:9, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The people came out with palm branches and worshiped Jesus saying, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel." Those who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus to life continued testifying about this and as Jesus gained attraction, the Pharisees became anxious.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
I felt quite exuberant reading this passage. I imagine a celebratory atmosphere with loud shouts of praise from the people, singing perhaps, waving of palm branches in the air... and there in the middle of it all, is Jesus. He is quiet, humble and gentle, and riding in on a donkey. He who created the earth and the heavens and all the universe, came riding in on a donkey. He who is the Author of life (Acts 3:15), came riding in on a donkey. He who is "even the King of Israel" (John 12:13), came riding in on a donkey. Jesus needed not anyone or anything to adorn Him, He was beautiful, just as He was.
John 12:15 says, "Fear not..." It is so kind of the Lord to speak such words of assurance and courage to us. He knows us so well, how weak and vulnerable we are to fear, anxiety, and worry. There is such assurance in the authority of these words spoken to and over us.
APPLICATION
I want fear, awe, and the joy of the Lord to fill me up everyday. I don't want to treat Jesus or the presence of God flippantly, or carelessly in my heart, mind, and life. I want to truly see Him and know Him. The Bible describes the deposit of salvation within us as "treasure in jars of clay" (2 Cor. 4:7). I know there are many times I've thought of this gift as mundane or as the same as any other good thing in this world. Oh, but it is so much more! Through God’s grace, I want to come before Him in a posture of humility, remembering my sin and my need for grace each day, especially in the mornings when I spend quiet time with Him.
PRAYER
Lord, give me the eyes to see You, and the ears to hear You, and the heart to receive You as who You really are. I give you all praise and worship worthy of Your name.
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