There’s one more important thought regarding the donkey Jesus rode in on.
Another thing Jesus was saying by riding a young donkey was, “I’m the King, but not like you think.”
“What if I did liberate you from the Romans? What if I did lead a political + military revolution? What then? You would just get enslaved to something else. Or, even worse, you would perpetrate the same kind of pain on others that’s been perpetrated on you. Even more important, if I liberated you from the Romans, what would you do with all your guilt, shame, sin, addiction, personal pain + trauma? How would you deal with that?”
“I came to liberate you, but not in the way that you think! I came to give you real liberation + real freedom!”
As Jesus descended the Mount of Olives + got closer to Jerusalem, the crowds continued to swell in size.
What is a mystery to most of us, was clear to the people who flocked to see Jesus that day. They understood all of the symbolism. They had heard stories about Solomon’s inauguration so many centuries before. They could “feel” history repeating itself.
So, this crowd brought their “A” game + they began to worship Jesus with passion, joy, enthusiasm, energy + lots of emotion!
The gathered crowds removed their outer coats + spread them before Jesus as He entered the city. This was part of an ancient custom where citizens of a country would throw their garments or coats in the road for their leader or ruler to ride over, symbolizing their honor + respect for the leader + their submission to His authority. By spreading their outer coats before Jesus, the crowd was essentially saying, “We place ourselves at your feet, even for you to walk over if necessary.”
Others in the crowd took leafy palm branches + waved them in the air or threw them down as a welcome mat on the road. This was the ancient equivalent of rolling out “the red carpet.” All of this was an expression of worship + adoration. It was the customary way returning conquering kings were greeted + military victories were celebrated in the first century.
The waving of palm branches signaled the hope that Jesus was a political, military + national Messiah who had arrived + who would bring freedom + an end to the tyranny imposed by the Roman Government.
The people also raised their voices! They made some noise! They danced + sang:
“Hosanna, to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:10; John 12:13)
“Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13c)
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! (Mark 11:10a)
When the crowd shouted, “Hosanna!” they were actually reciting a passage of Scripture that was regularly sung during Passover, with lyrics taken from Psalm 118:26.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. —Psalm 118:26 NLT
The word “Hosanna!” means, “Save us!” or “Save us now!” The lyrics of their song were not simply an exclamation of praise. They were also a cry for help. “Save us!” That one word is both a prayer + praise.
Even our heartfelt cries for help can simultaneously be prayer + praise. They are worship to the ears of the Father who cares about what is going on in our lives.
Today’s Verse: Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. —Psalm 118:26 NLT
Today’s Prompt: Do you believe your cries for help are both prayers + praise + God never tires of hearing them?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that I get to worship Jesus with all the passion, joy, enthusiasm, energy + emotion I can muster.
Today’s Prayer: Father, help me offer my heart to Jesus in such a way that it reveals my honor + respect for Him + my submission to His authority. May I always place myself at His feet, representing His place in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
