A Donkey and a King

Throughout history, Kings were paraded with majestic, stallions and caravans, proclaiming their entrance into a city. With this pomp and splendor, they would be recognized as the ones in charge, and everyone would bow before them.

This was common throughout the world, as different cultures recognized who their king and leader was.

But then Jesus comes and flips the script and changes the paradigm.

He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords but His entrance would be different on purpose and because of this, it speaks to us today.

In a few days we’re going to celebrate Palm Sunday. This spiritual and historic moment first happened over two thousand years ago when Jesus entered Jerusalem. His entry and message left an imprint that gives us hope and gives us peace.

“ Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look; your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’” 6. The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. 7. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. 8. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in the highest heaven!”
Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬-‭9

This is the passage of scripture, notice Jesus and notice the people. Both of these elements speak to us today about who Jesus is, what He does and our response to Him.

First, a donkey.

He intentionally did not come on a stallion but rather a donkey. This spoke of humility and of a servant. He knew this and wanted to give the message that the king of heaven and earth would serve the world with humility and love.

He didn’t come to rule over us with an iron fist but rather He came to lead us through love and grace.

Today, Jesus is coming to us with the same posture. He’s not wanting to be our boss. He wants to be our Lord. He has no interest in dominating us, but rather He wants to fill us with the power of His Holy Spirit.

Our posture is to receive Him, to follow Him and to give Him our lives. When we do this, we can have what He has and we can be what He’s called us to be.

Second, the King.

Jesus received the gifts of clothing that people gave as they laid it over the donkey. He received what they had and used it.

Today Jesus receives what we have, and He uses it. This is our lives, our gifts and our weaknesses. The very things we use to cover our flaws, He wants to use to reveal His healing through our flaws. Only Jesus can do this.

Then the people were waving palm branches as He came by declaring Him to be the King. This is significant because this represented victory and peace as He came in to the city. What the people were saying was that Jesus has victory and is peace.

Today Jesus has won for us and victory is ours through Him. He defeated our enemy the devil on the cross, and through His resurrection, He has power over Him.

Because of this victory, His peace is available to all of us. He is the prince of peace, meaning He’s the governor of it and from Him and through Him peace is given.

He’s the source of our peace and He is the reason for our peace.

This moment in Jerusalem over two thousand years ago is more relevant than ever before. As our country wrestles with distrust in leadership and the sense of unrest, we need King Jesus!

Today He’s coming to you and I in humility and in power. He’s coming to us with peace that satisfies our heart and mind and keeps them both grounded. Our hope is Jesus. Our life is Jesus. Our salvation is Jesus. Our healing is Jesus. Our joy is Jesus. Our freedom is Jesus.

He is what we need so I ask you, will you let Him rule in your heart and life?

What area of your life do you need Jesus to move in?

Whatever it is He has the power and the ability to do something about it. He can heal you and make you whole. This is your moment. This is your time to have Jesus.

I pray this Easter season you allow Jesus to have more areas of your life, and that from it, you have His peace and purpose like never before!

Have a great Palm Sunday and the best is yet to come!