The Donkey or the Stallion?

Reflections on Palm Sunday

When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away.

Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.

Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

~ Matthew 21:1-11

Photo by Florian GIORGIO on Unsplash

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Jesus knows the religious leaders want to end his life, but he doesn’t sneak into the city. Rather, he enters in one of the most public ways possible – with a parade. But what do we mean by "triumphal"?

It's clear Jesus and the crowds had different opinion about the meaning of that word. 

No peace, or know peace

The custom for a conquering king or general to enter a city was to ride in on a stallion or a war horse of some kind. When a general or a king entered the city riding a donkey instead of a stallion, it was a symbol of peace. So when Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, knowing his execution is only days away, he does so as a sign of peace. Jesus comes in peace to restore peace.

If we look around today, it’s clear there is no peace – not between nations, between people, between humanity and the environment, or in our soul. In opposition to this, the good news of the gospel is that Jesus restores peace. This peace is more than “absence of conflict.” The peace Jesus give is shalom, total wholeness and holiness with God, one another, ourselves, and all of creation.

The crowds don’t understand this. On the one hand, they lay down cloaks, which was a symbol of submission to a king. On the other hand, they lay down palm branches, which were symbols of Jewish nationalism and victory. In other words, they were submitting themselves to what they thought would be political Messiah who makes peace through military power. The crowds cry out, “Hosanna in the highest!” (hosanna = save now!). It’s a cry for deliverance… from Rome, not sin or death.

When it becomes clear Jesus is not the military deliverer they expect, their cries change within a few days from praise to “Crucify him!” They had expectations (demonstrated by their reaction), Jesus did not meet those expectations (demonstrated by his donkey and later actions throughout Holy Week), thus he is not our saviour and must die.

Yes, we are that fickle

We may look down upon the crowds and religious leaders who lined the streets of Palm Sunday, but we are not so different.

Like the crowds we are often are drawn to powerful, charismatic church leaders or political leaders, not the gentle ones. Like the religious leaders, we fear when Jesus wants to usurp our power, our self-sufficiency, our self-determination. So many times, we are not aligned with the heart of Jesus and we demand stallions rather than donkeys.

Pause and reflect

What kind of savior are you looking for? Or, in another context, who are the world or church leaders you admire? Are they tough and strong, or are they lowly and meek? Jesus rides a donkey, not a war horse, and he invites us into a different kind of strength that exudes the courage of surrender, trust, and humility. Do your admired leaders follow him on this path? Do you?

How do you respond when Jesus doesn't meet your expectations? Like the crowds we may cry out for deliverance yet reject the way God chooses to deliver us. When God works in a way we don’t expect, do we welcome him or turn away in disappointment?

Like the religious leaders, are you clinging to power or control instead of surrendering to the peace Jesus offers? His way to peace is not through the absence of conflict but through the presence of wholeness. How is he offering this to you today? Will you surrender all and say yes?

~ Nick

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