This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” Matthew 21:4-5 ESV

When we think of Palm Sunday we see it as the triumphant end of a week in which He had raised Lazarus from the dead and healed a blind man on the way to Jerusalem. But for the first century Jew it was the beginning of a festival week. Try to imagine the week before Christmas. People are doing extra baking, decorating the house and

inviting friends and family over for the big day. And right into the middle of the excited crowds, Jesus rode into the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem.

The scripture tells us that But Jesus wasn’t just coming to town for the Passover. He was coming to fulfill the prophecy that God would send them their king through that gate riding on a donkey. He was not simply an amazing miracle worker, a powerful prophet or a triumphant king: He was their king!

Though the religious elite were angry when children shouted Hosanna, the common people were sensing something their leaders missed. Jesus was coming to be king riding a donkey and they didn’t need to be afraid.