The Messiah King on a Donkey — August 29 [Description]Overview of Matthew 21:1-11 and Mark 11:1-11:These passages describe Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event that marks the beginning of the final week of His earthly ministry (commonly called Palm Sunday).As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He sends two disciples to fetch a donkey and her colt (Matthew) or a colt (Mark), fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) that the Messiah would come "gentle and riding on a donkey."The disciples place their cloaks on the animal, and Jesus rides into the city. The crowd recognizes something significant is happening—they lay down their cloaks and palm branches (a symbol of victory) and shout, "Hosanna!" which means “save us now.” They call Him the Son of David and King of Israel, revealing their hope that He’s the long-awaited Savior.Yet, Jesus doesn’t arrive like a warrior king on a warhorse. He comes in humility, offering peace, not political power. This moment sets the stage for the tension between what the people expected from a Messiah and what Jesus came to do—save through sacrifice, not domination.

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Matthew 21:1-11365D 241.1

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to ^{[a]M Bethsphage} Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,365D 241.2

2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.365D 241.3

3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”365D 241.4

4 ^{[b]NU omits All} All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:365D 241.5

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”365D 241.6

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.365D 241.7

7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, ^{[c]NU and He sat} and set Him on them.365D 241.8

8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road.365D 241.9

9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord !’ Hosanna in the highest!”365D 241.10

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”365D 241.11

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”365D 241.12

Mark 11:1-11365D 241.13

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to ^{[a]M Bethsphage} Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples;365D 241.14

2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.365D 241.15

3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”365D 241.16

4 So they went their way, and found ^{[b]NU, M a} the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.365D 241.17

5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”365D 241.18

6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.365D 241.19

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.365D 241.20

8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.365D 241.21

9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord !’365D 241.22

10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes ^{[c]NU omits in the name of the Lord} in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”365D 241.23

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.365D 241.24