There are numerous verses that we can focus on in the bible for Palm Sunday – How Jesus ended up making that journey to Jerusalem, the route he took, the greeting he received on his arrival, what happened next. A story you have probably heard and read about many times. So, I thought I would give this reflection a different slant to the well-known record of events, focusing instead on Jesus’s choice in his mode of transport when he entered Jerusalem.
All stories have a beginning, a middle and an end and this story is no different. It may also raise more questions than it answers. This segment of Jesus’s life starts with him sending his disciples ahead of him to find his mode of transport for his arrival into Jerusalem. Imagine the scene. The disciples go to where Jesus has told them a donkey and a colt will be tethered up at the side of the road, and low and behold as they approach, they are surprised to see the animals waiting for them. What must have been going through their minds at that time? Surprise? Shock? An expectant acceptance?
“Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this ‘The Lord needs them’, and he will send them immediately.” Matthew 21:2-4
As Jesus said, the two disciples went and returned with the donkey and its colt. Pretty straight forward it appears - until you look a little deeper.
So why did Jesus want a donkey in the first place? What were his reasons for arriving on a donkey? There could have been several reasons. Maybe he was used to travelling distances, in difficult terrain, on a donkey. Travelling with a donkey in that terrain was certainly a good choice. Donkeys are strong, sure footed and totally reliable, used to travelling with heavy loads on uneven ground. He certainly wasn’t wealthy enough to have horses at his disposal. Maybe he had travelled many miles on foot, and felt that he couldn’t walk any further, or maybe the animal he had been riding on was tired and h needed to exchange it for one that was rested.
Had he previously arranged the collection of the donkey and its colt from their owner? Why didn’t he collect them en route, instead of sending his disciples ahead of him? As I previously expressed it raises more questions than answers. But whatever the reason it was obvious that he knew exactly where the donkey and its colt could be found.
Jesus could have entered the gates of Jerusalem on foot, but he chose to arrive on the back of a donkey. Was the reason for this to hopefully stop the anticipated crowds from mobbing him? Was it so that he could move through the crowd quickly and more easily? Or was there another reason, and if so, what was that reason?
As Jesus entered the gates of Jerusalem in one direction, soldiers were entering Jerusalem from the gates on the opposite side of the city. Could it have been that Jesus knew that the soldiers were entering the gates of Jerusalem on the opposite side of the city. Soldiers dressed in their splendid armoury, powerful men riding some of the best and finest horses of the time. Was Jesus mocking them? Was he showing them that he didn’t need such finery to pull a crowd? Possibly. Whatever his reasons he did split the crowd and bring a large gathering together to witness his arrival. He stole the limelight from those powerful soldiers who rode with authority. Jesus was the one that people welcomed with excitement and anticipation, rather than running away in fear from the soldiers.
So, as you attend Palm Sunday services today, think about re-committing yourself to Jesus. Visualise the scene on that day, think about the questions I have raised and explore the text in more detail and give thanks to God for His Son.
Kathy Shaw
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