Mark 11:1-7
1 And as they *approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He *sent two of His disciples,
2 and *said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat; untie it and bring it here.
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 back here.”
4 They went away and found a colt tied at the door, outside in the street; and they *untied it.
5 And some of the bystanders were saying to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”
6 And they told them just as Jesus had said, and they gave them permission.
7 They *brought the colt to Jesus and *put their cloaks on it; and He sat on it.
Jesus Riding on a Colt
Fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophecy
The last Passover of Jesus’ public ministry arrived. At this time, Jesus and His disciples were staying at the house of Martha and Mary in the village of Bethany. Bethany is close enough to Jerusalem to be reached on foot. At the midpoint, near the top of the Mount of Olives, is the village of Bethphage. Jesus got on a colt. This holds several significant meanings. (1) It fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (2) By riding on the colt, Jesus publicly presented Himself as the Messiah before the people. (3) Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. Kings would enter cities riding on horses, but those who ride on a donkey were man of peace, merchants, and priests. (4) Jesus entered Jerusalem as the Passover Lamb prepared by God. This day was the tenth of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar. In Exodus 12:2-6, the Passover lamb was selected on this day and examined for blemishes until the fourteenth. Similarly, Jesus would undergo a rigorous examination by the Pharisees and Sadducees until the fourteenth.
People used by God
Without the colt, Zechariah’s prophecy would not have been fulfilled. In Luke 19:33, it is mentioned that there were multiple owners of the colt (it is stated as “owners”). From this, we can see that multiple people shared one colt, as they were poor. They willingly offered the colt, saying, “The Lord has need of it.” Presumably, this was a prearranged passphrase between them and Jesus. In order for the prophecy to be fulfilled, God used the colt offered by the poor men. Even now, God continues to work through those who joyfully offer themselves. The colt has a unique role that only a colt can fulfill. How does knowing this change the way you live? Blessed are those who willingly offer themselves as a colt to God.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, though I don’t have any special quality, please use me for the expansion of Your kingdom. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.