Matthew 21:1-9: Look Your KING is Coming

Matthew 21:1-9 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. (2) “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. (3) If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.” (4) This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, (5) “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey– riding on a donkey’s colt.'” (6) The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. (7) They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. (8) Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. (9) Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Jesus and His disciples ascended the familiar hill. At the top Jesus paused to gaze upon the city that represented so much in Heaven, as well as on earth. Jesus found it hard to swallow, and impossible to speak. He remembered the hill He crested when He began His ministry. At that moment He knew how vulnerable He would be. Only His Father and His Spirit could protect Him. As His mind wondered over the events of the past three years, He reminisced about the times God saved His life, and the Spirit gave Him the exact words He needed, when He needed them. All these experiences were necessary to prepare Jesus for what was about to occur. He wondered if His disciples were prepared. He prayed for them.

After looking up to Heaven, Jesus’ eyes once again rested on Jerusalem. He knew the timing of the prophecies was everything. He cleared His throat, gathered His thoughts and told Bartholomew and Thaddaeus to go ahead into Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. He told them, “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

As they headed to Bethphage, Thaddaeus asked, “why do you think Jesus sent us to fetch a donkey? Bartholomew had been studying the scriptures, looking for answers to the questions Jesus presented to the scribes and Pharisees. He thought about it for a while and answered, “I think it is to fulfill the prophecy, 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) Thaddaeus asked, “why do you think He needs a donkey and the colt?” Bartholonew answered, “I am not certain, but He must have a good reason telling us to bring both.” They walked for a few more minutes, each wanting to ask the other the question on their mind, but neither wanted to get their hopes up too high. Finally in a low mumbled tone Thaddaeus asked, “do you think He is going to take His throne?” Bartholonew wanted to find out more of what Thaddaeus was thinking, so he asked, “what do you mean? We are only going to get a donkey and its colt.” Thaddaeus added, “what about the prophecy? Do you think the prophecy is telling us Jesus has come to Jerusalem to take his throne? The prophecy does say, your king is coming.” Bartholonew thought about this for a moment. It did not seem to make sense to him. He was trying to look at the prophecy from a spiritual view. David had Solomon ride his mule before Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed him king over Israel. Why would Jesus ride a donkey?

As they entered Bethphage the very first thing they saw was a donkey tied at the well in the town square, just as Jesus had described. The colt stood close to its mother. Thaddaeus went over to untie the donkey. A man emerged from the doorway of a nearby house. He stood at the door watching the two disciples. Thaddaeus saw the man and said, “Jesus has need of the donkey and its colt.” Without saying a word, the man returned to his home. Thaddaeus and Bartholonew headed back to Jesus leading the donkey, its colt following close behind.

This gave Jesus time to further reflect upon His destiny. As the crowds began the gather, the children instinctively sought out Jesus. They were drawn to His side because of the deep sense of security He gave them. He taught them with simple words. He knew the young impressionable mind was open to all of His words, because they would give it time to develop. “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.” (Proverbs 3:1-2) His Father knew the type of encouragement Jesus needed. Looking at the children, Jesus saw the future of the world flash before His eyes. He saw the young children growing into young men and women. He saw some broken hearted, others beaten and chastised for their faith. He saw still others living their life to the fullest with the gospel in their hearts, sharing it with their families, gaining the respect of their neighbors. A smile came to His face as He remembered, the smallest seeds often carry the largest blessing.

With the crowd gathered around Jesus, Thaddaeus and Bartholonew found it almost impossible to make their way to Him. As they drew closer, Jesus could feel their presence as He felt His time drawing nearer. He hugged every child He could, placed His hands on them and blessed them. He instructed the mothers to keep their children safe, and teach them the commandments of God.

At last Thaddaeus and Bartholonew found their way back to Jesus. He knew His time had come. The prophecies must be fulfilled. The crowd instinctively made a small circle around the scene. Thaddaeus and Bartholonew took their coats from around their wastes and threw them over the young colt. Why they did it, they did not know. Jesus looked at the crowd, then over to His disciples. He walked over and sat on the colt. As soon as Jesus was seated upon the colt, the crowd opened a path leading to Jerusalem. Many of them began throwing their coats and other garments upon the ground in front of Jesus.

As Jesus headed down the side of the hill, others along the path began to cut branches from the trees and place them on the ground. The colt’s mother followed a close distance behind. Bartholonew began telling the other disciples about the prophecy foretold by Zechariah. Once they heard Bartholonew’s explanation, they understood why Jesus rode on the colt. Thaddaeus and Bartholonew looked on, wondering if the donkey following behind symbolized anything.

As Jesus passed by, people followed behind while others began to gather in front. The entire crowd began shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!”

They still looked at Jesus as a worldly king, coming to claim the throne of David. They looked at Jesus as a son of Adam, not as the Son of God. The excitement was too over powering for Jesus to concentrate on the errors of the crowd. He was caught up in the excitement. His mind was focusing on His next return to Jerusalem as King of kings. As the crowd sang out, Jesus’ lips moved in a silent thank you Abba.