Mark 11.1-11
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was like none other. Royalty would plan an arrival into the city with a procession filled with much “pomp and circumstance;” there would likely be the parade of horses, chariots, and trumpets announcing the king’s arrival. The king would come in the finest of robes, expecting people to bow before him, to stop all they were doing to give recognition as he passed by them. This was not the way Jesus entered Jerusalem. The King of kings sent His disciples to borrow a young donkey. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, He sat on it (Mark 11.7). Coming into the city, and though having authority over all creation, He sat on a borrowed donkey, an animal of burden. Though He would accomplish within the week one of the most significant events in history – redemption – He sat on a borrowed donkey, padded with the disciples’ worn garments as He wore everyday clothing.
He came not for His own recognition, but to serve condemned, lost sinners; He came not in the expectation of world exaltation, but to be lifted up on a cruel cross to die; He came not to preserve His life, but to redeem us, who were bound in the chains of Satan for eternal punishment; He came not to defend Himself before the masses, but to rescue us, to deliver us from the grip of the enemy and to secure us for the glory of His eternal Kingdom. The people shouted, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest (11.9-10)! The people anticipated Christ coming to establish His kingdom on earth. They were to soon realize His was not an earthly kingdom, but a heavenly one, secured through His death and resurrection. He humbled Himself and sat on a borrowed donkey. May we now be so humble before the eternal Savior, exalting Him with all we have been given and singing His praises in the midst of a proud and sinful world.
Singing praise to our King – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 