"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zechariah 9:9 NIV
I've been told that a king riding on a donkey was symbolic of times of peace. Contrast it to a king riding on a horse, that meant the king was leading troops into battle. I've heard this before, but it never really clicked. I've always thought Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to fulfilled prophecy. I also find this parallel interesting: Mary rode into Bethlehem on a donkey and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Today I was struck by the symbolic meaning of peace. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey! People were expecting Him to lead a political revolution, liberating Israel from Roman rule. Instead Jesus spoke about a heavenly or spiritual kingdom, but the crowd just don't get it. Jesus used not only His words to convey this message, but also cultural traditions of the day. He came in peace, on a donkey, not on a war horse.
This is my 43rd Palm Sunday, although I don't know if you want to count the first 10 or so. I know this story. I've heard it many times. I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit quickened my mind to a new aspect of Mark 11 today. My Rabi still has things to teach me.
What part of Palm Sunday did you see in a new light today?
