The Ultimate Meaning of Jesus Entering Jerusalem on a Donkey

Because the Jewish leaders had preconceived ideas about Jesus, this incident of Jesus fulfilling prophecy as recorded in Zechariah made them buckle down on their animosity toward Jesus rather than accepting him. Jesus knew what their decision would be but wanted to give them the ability to make a choice.

The Jewish leaders conspired and plotted how they could get Jesus killed without the people revolting. When Judas approached them, they saw their opening for how to accomplish their plot. They put plans into place to ensure Jesus’ death would occur and turned the heart of the people against Jesus as well.

The Jewish leaders wanted to preserve the peace with Rome at the expense of Jesus. Yet, war rather than peace still occurred. They did away with the one person who could have brought them ultimate peace.

The peace with Rome the Jewish leaders tried to keep by sacrificing Jesus was a peace that did not prevail at all. High priest Caiaphas said, “It is better for you that one man dies for the people than that the whole nation perish” (Jn 11:50). He said he was given this prophecy from God, but it seems he totally misapplied the meaning of it and interpreted it from his own bias rather than understanding it’s true meaning. Despite their actions, their nation still perished a little less than forty years later. Josephus, the Jewish historian, stated of what occurred in 70 AD: “[Roman soldiers] made the whole city run down with blood, to such a degree indeed that the fire of many of the houses was quenched with these men’s blood” (Josephus, The War of the Jews, Book 6, 406).

Today, we can also be like the Jewish leaders and let pride rob us of the peace we can have. Or, we can accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us so we can have his peace which surpasses all understanding: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro 5:1). We can repent of our sins, realizing that we can do nothing about our sin problem on our own. John tells us, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1Jn 2:2). We can accept the payment Christ did for us realizing that only he was able to pay our sin debt. Paul tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Ro 6:23). Nothing we do can satisfy our sin debt. Paul also tells us, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Ro 3:23). Yet, once we accept him, we cannot be taken from him. Jesus said, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (Jn 10:29). Our decision takes a conscious effort—never forced upon us, and it has eternal consequences.

So, it’s all about choice. God has given us choice. But with choice comes responsibility—and consequences. We can choose to have calm in light of life’s chaos. This will lead to an eternity of peace. Or, we can choose to make our own way through life’s chaos and end up with eternal regret. Which is the wisest decision? The wisest decision is to choose what Joshua chose: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Js 24:15).

I trust you will choose the same.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens