were you there? the colt

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9, NIV

Zechariah foretold the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem and Jesus’ choice to be carried on the back of the colt was a deliberate statement. He was the promised Messiah, and unlike earthly kings who rode horses to symbolise power and conquest, he was the servant king who would rule with peace.

It is important that the colt had never been ridden by anyone before. In Jewish tradition, an unused animal was considered holy and set apart for a special purpose. By riding this colt, Jesus demonstrated that he was the one set apart for God's unique and redemptive purpose.

The Gospels tell us how the crowd responded by spreading their cloaks and palm branches on the ground, welcoming Jesus as the long-awaited King. Of course, we know the same crowd that praises him now will curse him in just a few days' time.

I don’t know how long you have been journeying with Jesus, but perhaps today is a good day to thank him for sustaining and keeping you. Being his friend is a long walk of obedience. Thank him for how far you’ve come and ask him for the strength to keep going.

Let’s pray
Lord, I thank you for how far you’ve brought me on this journey and ask for the strength to keep walking in obedience to you. May my faith remain steadfast and unwavering. May I always bring my praises and shouts of joy to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.