Luke 19:32-34

Seeking to fulfill the prophecy found in Zechariah predicting the Messiah arriving in Jerusalem riding on a donkey; Jesus sends two of His disciples ahead of Him to obtain a colt for Him to enter on. All righteousness was fulfilled through Jesus (Matthew 3:15). We find in Zechariah:

9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zech 9:9 (NIV)

Unlike most people of our day, the crowds would certainly have grasped the message behind this symbolic entrance into Jerusalem. They were very well aware that Jesus was presenting Himself as the Messiah. Interestingly, most conquering kings entered riding on a horse yet Jesus enters on the colt of a donkey - a symbol of peace. How very fitting for the Prince of Peace! Unlike earthly kings, Jesus’ heart was not set upon the glories of this world, for His glories were in that of another world. His gaze was fixed toward heaven. Scripture tells us He was resolute in His approach towards Jerusalem and focused on the joy that His ensuing actions on the cross would eventually accomplish – bringing many sons and daughters to glory. The joy was certainly not in the cross but what the cross would accomplish. Scripture tells us:

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 (NIV)

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2 (NIV)

“Was He so eager to suffer and die for us, and shall we draw back from any service we are capable of doing for Him?” Matthew Henry

My favorite part of the today’s verses is the small phrase “went and found it just as He had told them.” The ways of God are always wonderful! You can take what He tells you to the bank! All of His promises are sure, trustworthy and true. He had foretold His disciples exactly what would happen and they went in faith on His Word. This is exactly His desire for His followers today. We are to walk (live) by faith in His Word and not by sight. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor 5:6-7 (NIV)

Paul followed Jesus’ example of living this earthly life focused on the unseen rather than the seen – the ultimate rather than the immediate realities. Over and over and over again throughout Scripture – from Genesis to Revelation - God proves His promises true. I am reminded of the promise of a son given to Sarah in her old age – humanly, her womb being dead. The promise was so ludicrous to Sarah and Abraham they both laughed yet God always comes through on His promises – always - for “is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 28:14):

1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Gen 21:1-2 (NIV)

“We mustn’t doubt in the darkness what God has shown us in the light.” Robert J. Morgan

We find in Joshua these words regarding the conquests of the Israelites upon their entrance into the Promised Land:

43 So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. 45 Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Josh 21:43-45 (NIV)

“Real trust in God is above circumstances and appearances.” George Muller

Written to his wife during one difficult time in the work of the China Inland Mission, “We have twenty-five cents - and all the promises of God!” J. Hudson Taylor