What Kind of Kingdom?

Mark 11:1 (NET) Now as they approached Jerusalem, near Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples 2 and said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here soon.’” 4 So they went and found a colt tied at a door, outside in the street, and untied it. 5 Some people standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They replied as Jesus had told them, and the bystanders let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8 Many spread their cloaks on the road and others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Both those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” 11 Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany with the twelve since it was already late.

Riding a Donkey

Angaria was a Roman law requiring local officials to provide horses to the government for public purposes. It was most frequently used for the Postal Service. When Jesus instructed his disciples to say, “The Lord needs it,” the bystanders may have assumed it was for official purposes, so no one questioned it.

It was predicted in Zechariah 9:9 that Jesus would enter Jerusalem on a donkey colt. “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey – on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.”

This is one of over 60 major prophecies Jesus fulfilled in his life and death. God gave the prophecies so we would be able to recognize Jesus as his true son and not an impostor.

The Significance of the Palm Branch

Jesus came into Jerusalem to people laying down palm branches. Palm branches were an ancient symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. Victors in the ancient Olympic games were awarded palm branches as a sign of their victory. A lawyer would place palm leaves on his front door after winning a case in the forum.

A king who had just won a great battle would come into town to people laying down palm branches to symbolize his victory and the peace that was to follow. The people laying down palm branches as Jesus entered town was a recognition of him as a victorious king.

It was a curious sign of his humility that he choose a donkey rather than a powerful stallion to ride.

Jesus Seen as the Coming King

This scene shows that the people wanted and recognized Jesus as a conquering king. They believed their desire for the ascension of their Jewish king, was happening before their eyes. Rome would soon be conquered, a rightful heir would be on the throne and peace would ensue.

Their dream would soon be shattered. Jesus was coming as king, but he was a different kind of king and his kingdom was a different kind of kingdom.