Jesus entered Jerusalem in the triumphal procession of the Messiah King, as prophesied in Scripture (Psalm 118:25–26), with the accompanying crowds shouting jubiliantly (Mark 11:9–10). The city had many gates, and Jesus entered through the East or Golden Gate, the gate nearest the Mount of Olives. Today this gate is covered up and locked, as the Jews continue to await the coming of their Messiah (Ezekiel 44:1–3), refusing to believe that He already passed through it some 2,000 years ago.

A colt of a donkey in a nearby village, that “no one has ever ridden” was recruited for the occasion after Jesus sent two of His disciples to get the donkey (Mark 11:2). We wonder what their conversation was like along the way. Most of the time, if not always, Jesus walked when travelling. So why a donkey this time? It had been prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.

It is interesting to note that some donkey breeds have hair on their backs in the shape of a cross. Surely they remind us of this humble donkey that was given the unique privilege of carrying Jesus into the holy city. The owners of the donkey questioned the disciples who were untying it for the Master’s use (Luke 19:33). When they said, “The Lord needs it”, the villagers released the donkey for its sacred task (Mark 11:3–6).

The crowd was elated. So were the disciples. They may have thought of Jesus as the powerful political Messiah who would free His people from the iron yoke of the Romans. They failed to realise that Jesus was not a political Messiah, but the Messiah who came from heaven to seek and save His lost people. If they had noticed that Jesus did not go to the palace but to the temple in the city, they might have realised His true identity and mission.

Jesus went to the temple and “looked around at everything” (v. 11). He noted all the abuse and unfaithfulness going on in the temple, and on the next day He would respond appropriately. But for now, He returned to Bethany with His disciples, who were probably excited by all they had seen and were anticipating glory and greatness, not realising that the clouds were gathering around Jesus.