Read Mark 11:1-11

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt” (Zechariah 9:9 NLT) –

Imagine the dusty road leading toward Jerusalem, the excitement palpable as Jesus and his disciples make their way toward the city. You walk alongside them, feeling the energy in the air crackling with anticipation. The disciples exchange glances, their faces a mixture of awe and uncertainty. They’ve seen Jesus perform miracles, heard his teachings, and witnessed the crowds grow in size, but this moment feels different, charged with significance.

As you journey with them, you hear Jesus instructing two disciples to fetch a donkey. There’s a sense of urgency in his voice, a quiet confidence that everything is unfolding according to plan. The disciples, unsure but trusting, follow his instructions and soon return with the young colt. They lay their cloaks upon its back, a makeshift saddle for their humble King.

They knew the Scriptures. They knew what Zechariah had prophesied and they knew the implications this all meant for Jesus. He was the Messiah… the coming King… who would kick the Romans out of Judea once and for all. He would set up the Messianic Kingdom and restore Israel back to her glory days forever. This is who they saw Jesus as, their warrior king.

The atmosphere shifts as they approach the outskirts of Jerusalem. The crowds begin to gather, their excitement contagious as they catch sight of Jesus riding upon the donkey. Some spread their cloaks on the ground, while others cut branches from nearby trees, shouting praises and blessings as Jesus passes by. “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

In the midst of this jubilation, the disciples exchange nervous glances. They’ve heard the prophecies, they’ve witnessed the miracles, but the weight of the moment is not lost on them. They wonder what this triumphal entry means for their beloved teacher and for the nation of Israel. Will Jesus establish his kingdom here and now, overthrowing the oppressive Roman rule? Or is there something else, something deeper, that they have yet to understand?

As you walk alongside them, you can’t help but ponder these questions yourself. What does this moment mean for you personally? How does Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem speak to the desires and longings of your own heart?

In this passage, we witness the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy as Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, echoing Zechariah 9:9. This prophecy, given centuries before, describes the coming of a righteous and victorious king who is humble, riding on a donkey’s colt. By deliberately choosing this mode of transportation, Jesus is unmistakably declaring himself as the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilling the expectations set forth in the Scriptures.

The disciples, familiar with these prophecies, may have interpreted Jesus’ actions as the fulfillment of their hopes for a conquering Messiah who would restore Israel’s former glory. They likely anticipated a political revolution, envisioning Jesus as a powerful warrior king who would overthrow Roman oppression and establish a physical kingdom on earth. Their understanding of the Messiah was deeply rooted in their cultural and historical context, shaped by their longing for freedom from political oppression and the restoration of Israel’s sovereignty.

As we reflect on this scene, we are reminded of the danger of imposing our own expectations onto Jesus. Just as the disciples envisioned Jesus as a warrior king who would bring political liberation, we too may be tempted to confine Jesus to our own narrow understanding of who He is and what He should do in our lives. However, Jesus defies our expectations and challenges our preconceived notions of his identity and mission.

Instead, let us approach Jesus with humility and openness, allowing Him to reveal Himself to us as He truly is—the Savior who brings not just political freedom, but spiritual liberation and eternal life. While Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem may not have met the disciples’ immediate expectations of a political revolution, it ultimately fulfilled a far greater purpose—the redemption and salvation of humanity.

As we journey through life, let us surrender our own agendas and expectations to Jesus, trusting in His divine wisdom and sovereignty. May we allow Him to work in our lives in ways that surpass our understanding, and may we remain open to the transformative power of His love and grace.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, guide me through life’s ups and downs. Help me trust Your plan, find peace in Your presence, and surrender our fears, knowing You reign now and forever. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.