Luke 19:28-40
28 After Jesus said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mountain that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples,
30 saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here.
31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ”
32 So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them.
33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They said, “The Lord has need of it.”
35 And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
36 Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road.
37 And as soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen,
38 shouting:
“Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord;
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 And yet some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”
40 Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these stop speaking, the stones will cry out!”
Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus the Prince of Peace
Jesus rode on a colt, the foal of a donkey. This act carries three important meanings: (1) The prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 was fulfilled: “Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (2) Jesus publicly revealed Himself before the people as the Messiah. (3) Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. Ordinarily, a king would enter a city riding on a horse. One who ride on a donkey is a man of peace, a merchant, or a priest. As I read this passage, what caught my attention was that without that colt, the prophecy in Zechariah would not have been fulfilled. The owner of the colt was not just one person but several. One can easily picture the scene of poor people sharing ownership of a single young donkey. They gave up the colt at the words, “The Lord has need of it.” It is likely that a predetermined sign or password had been arranged beforehand between Jesus and them. In order for the prophecy to be fulfilled, God was pleased to use the colt offered by these poor people. Even now, God continues to work through those who willingly offer themselves to Him. How does knowing this truth change the way you live?
The stones will cry out
Let us take note of the courage of Jesus and His disciples. At that time, the Jewish leaders had given orders that anyone who found Jesus should report Him (John 11:57). Despite the danger of arrest, Jesus boldly went forward, riding on the colt. He publicly declared Himself to be the Messiah. The disciples also responded with great courage. They praised God in loud voices, shouting, “Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees, angered by this, demanded that Jesus rebuke His disciples and silence them. But Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these stop speaking, the stones will cry out” (v 40). Jesus praised the faith and courage of His disciples. Furthermore, His words carry a prophetic meaning that if the Jews, the descendants of Abraham, would not praise the Messiah, then the Gentiles (who, from the Jewish perspective, were like stones) would begin to do so. In this age when faith itself is often unappreciated, let us ourselves become those “crying stones,” lifting our voices to proclaim Him.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please make me a “crying stone” that praises the glory of the Lord Jesus. Today, please prepare me the opportunities to bear witness of You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.