Why did Jesus ride a donkey into Jerusalem?
“I think Jesus wanted to ride the donkey so he wouldn’t hurt his feet,” says Mary Jane, 7. “His feet had just got washed by expensive perfume.”
Mary of Bethany had anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive oil and had used her hair as a towel to wipe his feet. The Bible text tells us this oil was worth 300 denarii. That’s about a year’s worth of work (John 12:3-5). It’s possible that Jesus didn’t want to get his perfumed feet dirty, but I believe there’s a deeper reason for the donkey ride.
“Jesus rode a donkey to show he was humble and wanted something simple. Many people remembered his miracles, so they put their cloaks and palm branches to honor him and they shouted ‘Hosanna!’ ” says Sofia, 8.
If Jesus had ridden a white horse into Jerusalem, the Jewish zealots who wanted to overthrow Rome would have gone crazy. They would have seen Jesus as the conquering general ready to command the armies of Israel. Instead, Jesus came riding on a lowly young donkey. There is nothing threatening about a young donkey.
More than 500 years before this, the prophet Zechariah predicted this event: “People of Zion, rejoice! People of Jerusalem, shout with joy! Look, your king is coming to you! He is the good king who won the victory, but he is humble. He is riding on a donkey, on a young donkey born from a work animal,” (Zechariah 9:9 ERV).
Even though prophesied, this event goes against everything we long for in a Messiah. We want the conquering hero riding on a white stallion. We don’t want humility. We want to see real power in our leaders.
Jesus is the camouflaged savior. He doesn’t look the part. A few days after riding a lowly donkey into Jerusalem, Jesus died on a cross between two criminals. Jesus looks like a loser. Even Jesus’ own disciples thought all was lost. Everything changed when two of them peered into an empty tomb on Easter morning. Jesus’ resurrection turned apparent defeat into total victory.
When given the choice of riding a donkey or a white stallion, most of us will choose the stallion. We run to anything that promises enhanced prestige. We want the recognition that comes from riding the white stallion or driving the red Mercedes convertible.
When Jesus offers eternal life as a free gift that he purchased by bearing our sins on the cross, many refuse because they want to earn their salvation. It’s too humbling to merely believe in Jesus as Savior. We want to give God something. We imagine we can do something that puts God in our debt. We want control.
Religion offers many white stallions to ride. Jesus came to destroy religion or the idea that we can do something to earn our way into God’s favor. It was religious leaders who cried “Crucify him” when Roman Governor Pontius Pilate asked the crowd what to do with Jesus.
Think about this: Author Tullian Tchividjian once said that if you want to make people mad, tell them what to do. If you want to make them really mad, tell them there is nothing they can do.
Memorize this truth: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Ask this question: Are you trying to earn God’s gift of salvation? Or have you trusted in Jesus and his sacrifice for your sins and resurrection from the dead as your only hope for eternal life?
FAQs
“Jesus rode a donkey to show he was humble and wanted something simple. Many people remembered his miracles, so they put their cloaks and palm branches to honor him and they shouted 'Hosanna! ' ” says Sofia, 8.
Why did Jesus ride a donkey into Jerusalem? ›
Unlike a horse which symbolize peace and is a sign of war, a donkey symbolizes peace and stands for meekness and peace. Jesus chose to ride a donkey to fulfill a prophecy in the Book of Zechariah: "Behold, your king is coming to you, humble and mounted on a donkey."
What does a donkey symbolize in the Bible? ›
Leaving the passage indicated in BibleWorks4 and to conclude, we should note that the donkey expresses the idea of 'peace' and 'ordinariness', as well as 'God's omnipotence who, if he wants to, makes something great of the most ordinary thing'.
What does the Bible say about Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey? ›
John 12:12-15 New King James Version (NKJV)
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! ' The King of Israel!” Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt.”
What can we learn from Jesus riding on a donkey? ›
You remember that when our blessed Savior was entering Jerusalem a few days before his death, he rode upon a donkey; thus showing his meekness and humility, even while the multitude were shouting his praises, and spreading their garments in the way to do him honor.
What is the symbolic meaning of a donkey? ›
The donkey continues to be exploited and used as symbol, for whatever purposes humans choose, whether stupidity or simplicity, gentleness or strength, humility or humour, stubbornness or endurance, loyalty or laziness.
What are the lessons from the donkey Sermon? ›
What needs to be untied in our lives, so that we can praise and honor God? When it is untied and let go, nothing can stop the love of God and neighbor that is inside of us. Palm Sunday is the day when we, like Jesus' animal companion, are set loose to be used for the work of God.
What does riding a donkey symbolize? ›
Thus, the act of riding upon the donkey is a symbol of the sovereignty of the Messiah over the material world (represented by the donkey).
What was the importance of the donkey? ›
Donkeys have been a cornerstone in human existence and they still prop up entire communities today, ferrying water, food and crops. They are highly intelligent creatures, sociable and calm, capable of independent thinking and decision making.
How did God use the donkey? ›
Obviously we weren't there to witness, but we know from Scripture that God can use anything he wants, to speak to us. In this account, the voice of God comes through a donkey to convict Balaam of how his desire for prize money was blinding him, and separating him from the work God had called him toward.
According to the Gospels, Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover and entered the city riding a donkey. He was greeted by a crowd acclaiming him by waving palm branches and laying cloaks on the ground to honor him.
Do donkeys have a cross on their back? ›
And if you look closely, all donkeys across the world, whether they are grazing in pastures or gracing the big screen, share one mysterious feature — they have a dark cross on their backs, running down their spines and across their shoulders. "They've all got them, even the dark ones.
Who did Jesus ask to get the donkey? ›
Matthew 21:1, however, refers only to Bethphage, and it likely was the unnamed village to which Jesus sent two disciples to get a donkey's colt. The two disciples may have been Peter and John, for they were the ones whom Jesus later instructed to make the needed preparations for the Passover observance.
Why did Jesus ride an unbroken donkey? ›
“Jesus rode a donkey to show he was humble and wanted something simple.
What does donkey teach us? ›
Establish trust and find a point of balance.
Finding a point of balance between them helps each of them carry their load. It doesn't even matter if the donkeys or their burdens are different sizes. They lean into each other for comfort, stability, and support.
What can we learn from the donkey in the Bible? ›
There are many instances in the Bible where reference is made to a donkey: God spoke to a great prophet (Balaam) through a donkey. Well, the donkey was not afraid to speak when instructed to do so. Don't be afraid to speak when you need to.
What is the significance of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem? ›
It is a day when Christians remember Jesus' trJesus'nt entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and being greeted with palm branches by the crowds. This momentous event foreshadowed his ultimate sacrifice for humanity, as he would be crucified and resurrected.
What is the moral lesson of the triumphal entry? ›
Another lesson from the story of the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is the high praise of God through His beloved Son. Whoever will glorify God the Father must do that through the Son because God has given Him a Name that is above every other name.
What is the legend of the donkey in Jerusalem? ›
The Jerusalem Donkey Legend tells us that the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday also followed him to Calvary, for the donkey loved the Lord.
What is the meaning of triumphal entry? ›
A triumphal entry is a ceremonial entry by a person, often into a city. Roman triumph, awarded to successful generals in Ancient Rome. Triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus Christ, commemorated on Palm Sunday.
