A Different Kind of King

Pray

Living God, refine the dross of my life and this day into gold. May my life be a worthy gift to You.

Read

MATTHEW 21:1-11

^[1] And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, ^[2] Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. ^[3] And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. ^[4] All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ^[5] Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. ^[6] And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, ^[7] And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. ^[8] And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. ^[9] And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ^[10]And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?^[11] And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver, 'Who said anything about safe? Course he isn't safe, but he's good. He's the King, I tell you'" (C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe).

Think Further:

Jericho to Jerusalem was no afternoon stroll--15 miles and a climb of 3,500 feet--but the hardest part lay ahead. Jesus' journey was moving to a climax. Jerusalem would be physically challenging, but the spiritual challenge would be even greater. Jesus' request for a donkey (2) has nothing to do with the tiring journey. His carefully prepared entrance into the city (the only recorded instance of him riding) was intentionally conspicuous. It was an acted parable, like those of the Old Testament prophets.

Although Mark and Luke also record this incident, only Matthew refers to two animals. The mention of a king "riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (5; Zech. 9:9) is an example of parallelism--only one animal--but it was common for a colt which had not yet been ridden to travel with its mother, possibly explaining Matthew's account. Again, Matthew points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (4). The upside-down kingdom was predicted long before: "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey" (5). That's not how kings usually entered cities. This will be no triumphal procession.

Meanwhile the crowds (had they travelled with him from Galilee?) are clear about what they think. Recognizing the symbolism, they prepare the way for his entrance, cutting branches from the trees, spreading them in the road along with their cloaks (8). For them this is the Messiah, arriving in Jerusalem to begin his reign (9). For those in the city it is much less clear (10). The scene is being set. Adulation won't last for long. So our own priorities are challenged. Are we ready to worship a king who is "gentle and riding on a donkey"? Or would we prefer a different kind of kingdom?

Apply

How is Jesus' example being followed by you? By the leaders in your church? Pray for "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1).

Pray

Lord Jesus, release Your power in me. Take my ordinary life to do extraordinary things through me.