a tearful entry
Read John 12:12-16 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:12-15
Whenever a city was conquered in the ancient world, the type of animal the victorious king rode as he entered a defeated town would make a big difference to the people. If he was seated on a horse, the city was doomed. It was a sign that he had come in war, riding his “warhorse.” If he rode a donkey, everyone would be relieved as this was a sign that he was coming in peace. (It is difficult to fight a battle riding a little donkey!)
This helps us understand why Zechariah said, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” Riding a donkey was a sign of peace. The king has not come to conquer but to forgive.
The rabbis taught that if Israel were not ready when the Messiah came, He would ride the foal of a donkey; but if she were ready, He would ride a white horse. Jesus went to great lengths to make sure He had a donkey’s foal on which to enter Jerusalem.
It was John’s privilege to witness both “comings” of the Messiah. Here, at the final entrance into Jerusalem, he is there, helping to guide the confused animal through the noisy crowd as the “King of Israel” comes in peace.
Later, after his account of Jesus’ life had been written, John witnessed the second and final coming of the Messiah by way of a vision. He had just gotten up after falling to his knees to mistakenly worship an angel. As he looked up, he saw heaven open, and before him was Someone he recognized, this time riding a white horse. Jesus had come to make war against the kings of the earth and the beast (Revelation 19:11).
They could not seem more different—the suffering Servant on the donkey who had just been weeping over Jerusalem, and the resplendent Warrior-King, eyes blazing like fire with many crowns adorning His head. Yet John recognizes both as his beloved Friend. —Michael Card
responding How does my understanding of the humble Jesus on a donkey and the righteous, powerful Jesus riding on a white horse fill out my view of who Jesus really is?
following Christ’s second coming is as certain as His first.
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