But what was it that led Jesus to choose a donkey rather than a white charger? Well, a couple of things really, but predominantly it was a sign of humility. In selecting this kind of mount the King of Kings was harking back to his birth in a stable. See our conquering hero now - humble and riding on a donkey! I doubt that any invading monarch or attacking general ever arrived in such a manner. So it is all the more surprising that the crowds lining the path into the city cried 'Hosanna' - literally 'rule now!' and laid palm branches in his path.
The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. So the folk watching the donkey riding Christ must have been impressed with something about him, despite his humble mount. Another aspect of the choice Jesus made was the fulfilment of Bible prophecy - the Old Testament had suggested this day would come in Zechariah 9:9.But for me the most significant part of that famous donkey-ride is that the very same people who applauded his arrival were to chant a different slogan just 5 days later. "Crucify him!" they yelled, when the implications of supporting him had been laid bare. Perhaps this Holy Week we would do well to ask ourselves which cry really reflects our attitude to the donkey-riding Lord.
