“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell them, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’’

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ”
Mark 11:1-6

“This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Matthew 21:4-5

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APRIL 9, 2025

As Jesus and His disciples began to ascend the east side of the Mount of Olives, He sent two of them to the village ahead to borrow a donkey’s colt. By this time, the disciples had seen so many things that they expressed no reluctance in following His instructions. Everything proceeded just as Jesus told them.

The colt was necessary to fulfill the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 quoted in Matthew’s account. The prophet describes the king coming “gentle and riding … on a colt.”

Why a colt? Maybe our phrase “Triumphal Entry” is a misnomer. There was great enthusiasm on the part of the crowd, but the One they were celebrating was anything but triumphant in appearance.

Zechariah used the word “gentle” to describe the coming of the king. Gentle has the connotation of humility. A colt was a small animal, and with Jesus seated on its back, our Lord was probably not much higher than those who walked beside Him. Jesus did not look like a king returning to a capitol city. He came as the Messiah—but not the kind of messiah everyone anticipated. His mission was not to conquer by force, but to gain victory by laying down His life.

This is the character of our God. As the perfect image of His Father, Jesus described Himself as “gentle and humble in heart.” He came as a servant who would give up everything, even His life, for those He came to serve and save.

If humility is so central to the nature of God, why is genuine humbleness often the exception in us as the people of God?

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Who is a brother or sister that you have observed to be genuinely humble? What about them indicates humility?
  • Why do people find humility so attractive?
  • Examine yourself and make a judgment regarding the measure of genuine humility evident in your life.

 

Church Reading Plan: Leviticus 13; Psalm 15-16