Hosanna!
Them? Two donkeys
Sometimes it seems that I read the Bible just to be reading. That is what we are suppose to do aren’t we, read it? By ‘just’ reading I miss so many of the things that God intends for me to see. As I was reading today, I got stuck on the word ‘them’.
“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.”
Matthew 21:1-2 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.21.1-2esv
Them?
Matthew’s gospel records that the two disciples were to find a donkey and colt and bring them to Him. Mark and Luke only mentioned a donkey. Why two donkeys? Which one did He ride? As I searched for answers, they were varying. Some believe he rode the donkey to town and the colt into Jerusalem. Some believe He just rode one. So, why two donkeys?
“This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”” Matthew 21:4-5 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.21.4-5.esv
Old Testament Prophesy
In Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah prophesies that He would ride on a donkey, on a colt. Both are mentioned in the prophecy and Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy perfectly. It was not unusual for a colt to be tied to its mother. Perhaps Jesus did ride each one or perhaps not, but we do know He rode a donkey. The word humble in some translations is lowly. Lowly means ‘power under perfect control’. Jesus was humble, meek and gentle. He didn’t have to be, but He chose to be.
“The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.” Matthew 21:6 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.21.6.esv
Go
Jesus said to two disciples – go. I can imagine the two disciples may have been wondering why they were to get a donkey and colt. Maybe they were complaining because they were commanded to do it. Why not send someone else. Or perhaps they were excited for the opportunity to serve Jesus in whatever the task was.
How about you? When Jesus commands you or places on your heart to go, do you go begrudgingly or with a smile and a skip in your step?
“They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them.” Matthew 21:7 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.21.7.esv
He Sat on the Cloaks
Herein lies a problem for some. The verse says they brought the donkey and colt and
He sat on them. That’s not exactly what it says is it? Some wondered if He rode two donkeys. To picture Jesus straddling two donkeys is ridiculous. Verse 7 says they put their cloaks on the donkey and He sat on them, meaning He sat on the cloaks.
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. Some were seeking a king that would ride in as a warrior. Jesus came as a humble servant who would give His life so that we might live.
“And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”” Matthew 21:9 ESV https://www.bible.com/59/mat.21.9.esv
Hosanna In the Highest https://youtu.be/NoM0AT8fBvs
The crowd was acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah. They were an oppressed people looking for a Savior. Hosanna means to ‘save now’.
Nuggets
The Bible has so many nuggets. Whether he rode the donkey or the colt is basically insignificant in the scheme of things, but it is cause to ponder. It helps me to spend the day thinking about a particular scripture and remembering it. I must make it an objective to carefully read each passage and seek that word or words that add even more interest in the Bible.
Paula Wallace
