Day 179: The King Arrives as Predicted

Luke 19:29-38

It happened, when he drew near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat. Untie it, and bring it. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Those who were sent went away, and found things just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus. They threw their cloaks on the colt, and set Jesus on them. As he went, they spread their cloaks in the way. As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!* Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”

This seemingly insignificant event recorded here in Luke was actually anything but insignificant. Jesus wasn’t just finding a strange way to ride into Jerusalem that day. He was actually fulfilling messianic prophesy. The Bible had foretold that the messiah would ride on a donkey colt:

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion!
Shout, daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King comes to you!
He is righteous, and having salvation;
lowly, and riding on a donkey,
even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Now this prophesy was already many years old when Jesus did this. Notice all of the things that happened. It took place in Jerusalem, the people began to shout, Jesus was the only righteous one to ever live, He had salvation and was riding on a colt of a donkey.

The Bible is making it very clear that Jesus is the salvation bearing King of Israel. If we are to believe God’s book, the Bible, then we must also believe that Jesus is the righteous, savior and King of Israel. That is not insignificant, but extremely important for us to know.

There appear to be even more significant things about this time that others who have studied this point out. I will leave that to you to look up on your own. It is good for us to see that this was no accident or just something that happened. God planned it for a long time in advance. God says that He has also planned our lives in advance as well. We have places to go and things to do for God and we will do what He has planned for us as well. May God reveal to us the joy that following His plan for our lives can bring.