The Final Week-The Triumphant Entry

I've been reading through the Bible this year using the Daily Bible in Chronological Order. It is a great way to read the Bible in historical sequence. Today begins sections titled Final Week. I noticed something in the triumphal entry into Jerusalem that I had never considered before. As Jesus and the disciples approach Jerusalem, he says to them in Matt 21:1-7; 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, tell him 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 the Daughter of Zion,

'See, your king comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" 

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. NIV

First, verse 5 is the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. It never ceases to amaze me how many prophecies were proclaimed about Christ and his coming to earth, that came to pass. The second item is that just on Jesus' word, the people that owned the colt let him be taken by the disciples, who they did not know. The other thing is that this colt had never been ridden. Have you ever tried to ride a colt or horse that has never been ridden before? I'm sure we've all seen a movie or video of the "breaking" process that happens when a horse or donkey is trained to have a rider. It is not easy, and many people have been hurt trying to do this. The interesting thing here is that each of the writers say the same thing, they placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. To me, that is quite a miracle. No one had to break this colt, it simply cooperated with the King of Kings as he prepared to enter Jerusalem. The entire Final Week is full of these kind of events that get lost in the bigger story. This story never gets old. Over and over again the Word reveals new nuggets of truth that strengthen our faith and propels us to share this amazing story. Tomorrow, the Final Week-Monday.