In Matthew 21:1-2, Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem on a mission to get a donkey and her colt and bring them to Him. I have no doubt that Jesus Christ, the Sovereign Lord of all, as Isaiah 46:10 says, “…declared the end from the beginning.”
In other words, the disciples would go and find the donkey and her colt and return with them because Jesus is the Sovereign Lord of all. But consider with me for a moment a hypothetical conversation between Jesus and the disciples.
“Jesus, we still don’t understand why you didn’t choose a war horse to ride into Jerusalem. Nevertheless, the donkey is ready for you.” “I’m riding the colt.” “Jesus, you do understand that this is a really big moment, right? You’re about to ride into Jerusalem to the adoration of a very large crowd who is ready to receive you as the Messiah. That colt has never been ridden before. You take it into a situation like this and it may spook and buck you off. That would be embarrassing.”
Why did Jesus choose a donkey instead of a war horse appro-priate for a conquering Messiah? First, He did it to fulfill Scripture as Matthew 21:4-5 indicates. Every Old Testament prophecy that pointed to Him would be fulfilled in Him. Second, He did it to send a message about who He was and why He had come. By riding into Jerusalem like Solomon did when he was crowned King of Israel in 1 Kings 1:33-34, Jesus was unequivocally saying that He was the Promised One, the Messiah of Israel. The crowd received him, casting down their garments and waving palm branches while heaping Hosannas on the Son of David in Matthew 21:8-9. Third, He did it to send a message about how He would be Messiah: not by putting His enemies to death, but by being put to death for them; not by making war on Rome, but by making a way for peace between God and his enemies.
Why did Jesus choose to ride the colt instead of its mother? First, it’s what was prophesied in Isaiah. Second, it, too, was symbolic. Jesus wasn’t riding into the Jerusalem on the “donkey” of Israel’s expectations. “Jesus, if you’ll do what we want, you’ll be the best Messiah ever,” the crowd seems to say. Jesus was sent by the Father to accomplish the Father’s mission, not to fulfill the hopes and dreams of Israel. By riding on the colt instead of its mother, Jesus was declaring that his mission was different from their expectations.
Aren’t we prone to make Jesus ride the donkey of our expectations? To fulfill our hopes and dreams and to be our ultimate life coach and moral example? Then, when he’s not “the best Messiah ever,” we’re ready to yell “Crucify Him!”
But, aren’t you glad Jesus chose the colt? Choosing the colt, Jesus showed He was going to the cross, to do for Israel—and for all who would believe—what no one else could. He alone became the Redeemer. He made the right choice.
Will you make the right choice? Will you have Jesus as Redeemer? Then cast down before Him your sins and selfrighteousness— repent of your sin. Then, confess that He is the Son of God, sent as the atoning sacrifice, to redeem all who place their faith in Him. Will you do that today?