Humbling entrance

Matthew 21:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]

Monday - April 6 - Read Matthew 21:1-5 We love saviors. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs were playing really good baseball, but everyone knew that their bullpen was not the best. So the team executives traded for one of the best relief pitchers in the game. He was going to be the savior who put the team “over the top.” When Jesus intentionally chose to ride on a donkey into the city of Jerusalem he was fulfilling a prophecy and declaring: “I’m the Savior you have been waiting for!” But Jesus is not the glorious hero that is going to put us “over the top.” He did not come to “win” in the ways that we normally expect. He did not come to be a military or political hero. By every measure Jesus was a “loser.” Now, because he died and rose again no one is a loser. Jesus is the “gentle” King riding on a donkey who has defeated Sin, Death and the Devil.