By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
As I entered church one Sunday, I noticed a little boy walking with his mother, waving a palm branch high in the air. Obviously, this little guy’s Sunday school lesson had focused on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Seeing this little boy with his mother triggered a series of thoughts about the historical events that took place some two-thousand years ago.
I remembered the triumphal entry of Jesus, and how His entrance into Jerusalem on a mere donkey held so much significance. It was the fulfillment of prophesy spoken in the Old Testament.
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
Jesus, the King of kings and the LORD of lords came proclaiming His coming Kingdom not on a grand stallion, but on a humble beast – a simple colt in fact, which once again reminds me that God’s ways are not our ways.
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
While reflecting on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem near the end of His life, my mind suddenly switched to thoughts of Jesus’ first triumphal entry – His birth. Mary, who was great with child, likely traveled those final days of their journey to Bethlehem riding a donkey.
“The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse, which is the animal of war. Therefore, a king came riding upon a horse when he was bent on war and rode upon a donkey when he wanted to point out he was coming in peace. Therefore, Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem symbolized his entry as the Prince of Peace, not as a war-waging king” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Sunday).
Jesus is our Prince of Peace, and yet a day is coming when His arrival will announce a great war. Once again, Jesus will make His triumphal entry; only this time, He will be riding a white horse!
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)
Ready or not, Jesus is coming back.
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)
Hallelujah, Amen!!!
