Matthew 21:1-11
By kingly fiat, the worldly rulers of this earthen realm enter conquered cities with great processions. Many enter riding golden chariots followed by the legion of conquering warriors, trumpeters, heralds; the spectacle would be one to remember!
Jesus, the King of Glory enters into His city mounted up on a colt; He does not enter in on a grand warhorse but a lowly beast of burden. He enters His city as its suffering servant, not as the overthrower of Roman occupation.
Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” features a most Biblical expression; “The hands of a king are the hands of a healer.” Jesus enters His city in the most humble of means; humble and riding upon a donkey, Jesus would enter into His city. His nail-scarred hands would secure the healing that our sinful souls desperately need and the same nail-scarred hands would break the chains of sin which bound us all to death and damnation.