The Lord hath need of him

The entry of the Lord into Jerusalem on an unbroken colt was an accurate fulfilment of a prophecy, Zech. 9. 9, and a dramatic foreshadowing of a future reality.

The procession began, significantly, at the Mount of Olives. From this spot the Lord will one day enter Jerusalem as the King, Zech. 14. 4, and set up His millennial kingdom. He descended the slopes of the mountain, pausing as the panorama of Jerusalem unfolded below. The Lord wept loudly over the city, vv. 41-44, reminding us of all the sorrow Jerusalem will experience before she truly welcomes her King. The procession at last reached its destination: the temple. The King will one day eject every unsuitable element from God’s house and establish true worship at the heart of His kingdom, Zech. 14. 16-21.

In order to fulfil scripture and foreshadow future realities, the Lord needed a colt, v. 34. The role played by the colt teaches us important lessons regarding service.

Firstly, it was tied and untamed, v. 30, reminding us that by nature we are both captive and rebel. The predominant characteristics of the colt are self-will and stubbornness. Paradoxically, this colt needs to be both set free, and broken to the will of another - liberty and submission.

Secondly, the colt is covered, v. 35. It was not meant to be the central object of attention in this drama. It is at least partially hidden by the clothing of the disciples. Every true servant wishes self to be hidden.

Thirdly, the Lord is set upon the colt, v. 35. Its function is to bear and elevate the Saviour: to make Him visible and to raise Him high! The colt, or ass, is the mount of a king in time of peace; the horse is the mount for war and battle. Peace is a predominant theme of this passage, vv. 38, 42, and perhaps the colt illustrates for us the Bearer of the gospel of peace.

The colt had fulfilled a role that angels would gladly have undertaken, yet probably nobody gave it a second glance as it was led back to its owner! It had fulfilled its function.