Hope Arrived on the Back of a Donkey
Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday which commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gospels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city of Jerusalem upon a donkey, while the multitudes spread their garments and palm branches on the path and shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.
The implication of Jesus riding a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy pronounced by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). The provincial custom in those days called for kings and noblemen to arrive in procession to ride on the back of a donkey- a symbol of peace; those who rode upon the donkey declared peaceful intents. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or notable was arriving in victory or triumph.
The people were hoping for Jesus to become their earthly Messiah and King but missed the true reason for his arrival during Passover. They were yearning for a King to remove them from the corruption and turmoil of their times. They were looking for Jesus to establish his earthly kingdom, but they missed their true need and real reason for the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to enter Jerusalem as a King yet leave this earth after rising from the grave!
You too may be seeking a way out of your trials and troubles just like those on the streets of Jerusalem that day we now call Palm Sunday. You may wonder if there is any hope for you at all. The answer is the same for you today as it was over 2000 years ago – most assuredly yes!
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 (ESV)
My prayer for you today is the same as Paul said to the Romans, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Open your heart and life to true source of all hope – the one who is hope – the King of Kings, Lord of Lords – our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Great word of encouragement…HOPE. Thanks, sis. Love you!
I love this post- especially the historical detail you included. Thank you!
Amen, Michele. Romans 15:13 is a powerful verse to hang on to. Hope is all that is left on dark days.
Great post, Michele. I enjoyed reading this.