Did you know that there are 322 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? Some of them are very detailed telling where the Messiah was going to be born, what he was going to do, how he was going to die, and even the number of coins that would be used to betray him. What is the mathematical probability of 322 prophecies being fulfilled in one person? It is 1 to 84 plus 100 zeros added to it. In other words, it’s something that doesn’t happen every day – or most likely never at all! But there is one who fulfilled all the 322 messianic prophecies spoken over Him – namely Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
One of these prophecies is found in Zechariah 9:9 and it speaks of Israel’s future king, the Messiah, riding a donkey into Jerusalem and bringing salvation. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The arrival of the long-awaited Messiah would be a time for great joy, celebration and liberty!
The fact that Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey reveals his identity, purpose and mission. Let me explain what I mean but before I do, I want to ask you a question. Have you ever wondered why Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey rather than a horse? I have, and as I pondered on this, I came across some interesting facts in terms of the events that took place on Palm Sunday when Jesus was celebrated by the people holding palm branches in their hands and shouting Hosanna as He rode by on his donkey.
So let’s look at those interesting little nuggets together.
In the ancient times, kings would ride two types of animals, depending on the occasion. When it was time for war, they would ride on horses but during the time of peace, kings would ride on donkeys. In the book of Zechariah, chapter 9 verse 10 the prophet proclaims that “He shall speak peace to the nations”. Only a few days after the entry to Jerusalem, Jesus went on the cross where He established everlasting peace between mankind and God. The Bible says in Col. 1:20 that “…by Him (Jesus) all things would be reconciled to Himself (God)… and peace be made through the blood of His (Jesus) cross.” This Gospel message that we still today preach in nations around the globe, is the message of hope, love and forgiveness to all those who want peace to reign in their hearts. The Bible says that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6) and the peace that He gives is available to everyone who simply believes, repents and receives Him by grace through faith. Before Jesus died on the cross, He left us a great assurance of this supernatural peace that only He can give and which would remain with us all our lives. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid….” Vs. 3 “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” The donkey is known as a creature of peace. And when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, entered Jerusalem, He chose to ride there upon a creature considered peaceful, humble and gentle. However, there will soon come a day when He returns to the earth, this time for the final judgement, and when he returns, He will not be riding on a peaceful donkey but on a white horse (Revelation 19:11-16).
In many illustrated Christmas stories, Mary the mother of Jesus is often pictured sitting on a donkey as she travels with Joseph to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. In those days however, donkey was not just a means of transportation for people. It was also used for hard work and carrying heavy loads. In many parts of the world it is still considered a working animal. The donkey, that beast of burden that carried Mary, carried also the one who later on the cross would carry all the weight of our sins, burdens and sicknesses on Himself and redeem us by His blood. Praise God, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph 1:7
Isn’t it interesting that all kinds of donkeys, regardless of the breed, have a cross marking on their backs? In fact, donkey is the only animal in the world with a single cross across its back. Could this be God’s sense of humor? I don’t know but one thing is sure: in the Bible, nothing, not even the smallest, insignificant looking details seem to be meaningless. I find it fascinating that the very animal that carried the King of Kings to Jerusalem, where he would die for us on a cross, has a cross mark on its back. The cross is the symbol of our Christian faith. I remember when I was in China training the young evangelists, I gave them memory verses from the Bible every week. Eventually, I started asking them to choose verses to learn. I was expecting their favorite verses to be from the Psalms, such as “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”. But it turned out very different. All the verses they chose had something to do with the cross, the blood or suffering for His sake. One of those verses that someone chose was Gal. 6:14 where Apostle Paul writes, “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” I want to finish with a quote from my spiritual father, Dr. Randy Clark. He often said this, and it became to me a phrase that has marked my life till today. “Lord, let me just simply be a donkey that carries You and Your glory wherever I go.” This Easter, let us carry His glory, boast on the cross of our Lord Jesus and tell others what great things He has done for us.