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Luke 19:28-44. Here’s a link to the verses, give it a read: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019%3A28-44&version=NLT 
In Jesus’ day, Rome had conquered much of their known world. When a conquering general or emperor rode into the city, they would ride in a large and ornate chariot typically drawn by two to four horses. Crowds would gather to cheer and welcome home their victorious leader. Such celebrations were well remembered even by the now conquered Israelites. When Jesus entered Jerusalem to great fan-fare that day, they sang from a Psalm once written to celebrate the victorious return of one of their own kings from battle. I can’t help but wonder if anyone felt the incongruity of so much pomp and pageantry directed toward a lowly figure riding a young donkey. While the crowd shouted a hero’s welcome, Jesus’ journey was a portrait of an earlier king. Solomon had been declared King by his father David and placed on the King’s own mule as a symbol of humble, peaceful ascension to the throne. Jesus fulfilled a prophecy the crowd hadn’t considered. Zechariah 9:9 promised that a king of peace would one day enter Jerusalem riding the foal of a donkey. Mark’s account of the same event recalls the crowds shouting hosana, which means, save us! And ironically, Jesus was going to do just that, but not in the way they expected.
I love the note about how Jesus sent his disciples to procure his ride. Had he made plans in advance with the owners of the house? Or did he just know it would be there and that they would be happy to loan it to him? It seems like a funny little detail to me. I imagine the disciples selected for the mission.
One grumbles, “Grand theft donkey. This oughta be good.”
The other responds nervously, “The master seems to have it figured out. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
All four gospels mention this story so I’ll bet it was one of those ones that they reminisced about in the years following. “Remember the time Jesus sent you two to steal that donkey?”
“It wasn’t stealing. Jesus had it worked out.” And then a laugh, “Ok ya, When that guy asked me what we were doing. That was a big man. Of course he’d pick the donkey of the biggest guy in town.”
John’s account of the story simply says Jesus found a donkey. So odds are he had made arrangements on an earlier visit to the area and just sent his disciples to get it, but he was never one to explain himself. Even then was he trying to give them one more lesson in trusting, obeying and leaving the consequences to him? John tells us that Jesus rode the donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy. He also tells us no one connected the dots until after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The Pharisees were there too. This impromptu victory parade made them nervous. The relationship with Rome was strained but fairly stable at the moment. Some guy riding into Jerusalem, being hailed as a king, was not going to fly. If the authorities heard about it, the religious council on which many of them sat would have to explain. The crowds were shouting praises, giving glory to God. The Pharisees took exception, “Jesus, get your people under control. It almost sounds like they’re worshipping you.” Jesus’ response is interesting. There is a change of tone. He starts to exhibit a willingness to get under the Pharisees’ skin. He’s picking a fight. He’s letting them get agitated. You might even say he’s baiting them. The Pharisees don’t go as far as saying, “Hey, your followers are worshipping you. Worship is for God alone.” They won’t go that far. It’s the Passover. Jerusalem is exploding with visitors. This is no time to start a ruckus. So they hint, “Hey Jesus, this is the kind of thing that will get you in trouble. Better control your friends.” His response is essentially, “if they don’t worship me, creation is going to break out singing”. Them’s fighting words. And the timing for a fight is not good for the Pharisees. Jesus is popular. People are excited about him. If the religious leaders go after him at a time when the city is overflowing with travellers, chaos could erupt. They need to bide their time, but Jesus has decided this is the time and he isn’t waiting for their permission. Watch for it in the coming passages. It will become increasingly clear. Jesus knows his time is almost up. He also knows his death will be precipitated by the religious authorities. He knows the scriptures that prophesied his death. He came to die and he has chosen his timing. For all of their careful scheming and plotting, the Pharisees only ever did exactly what he allowed them to do.
But don’t miss the last couple of verses. It’s not that Jesus has finally had enough. The urgency that he is projecting isn’t just about keeping a schedule. Jesus isn’t motivated by a desire to manipulate his opponents and beat them at their own game. Jesus’ heart is broken for his people. He knows what the future holds for Jerusalem. Roughly forty years after Jesus died, Rome would decide she was done with this upstart nation that kept challenging her dominion. Rome would lay siege to Jerusalem and, when the wall was breached, the city would be decimated. The citizens were brutalized and murdered, the buildings burned and toppled. The Temple was razed. Jesus mourned the coming destruction. He knew it would come because those who studied the scriptures, those who should have recognized him, the leaders of Jerusalem rejected Jesus and the salvation he offered. If only they had understood then what would bring them peace. If only they had repented of their self-righteousness and accepted the gift of God’s righteousness by faith in Jesus, they would have been spared the coming destruction. But in order for the message of salvation to bless not only Israel but the whole world, the Jewish nation and her leaders would choose to reject him. Jerusalem and her people would pay a devastating price. It was for this devastation that Jerusalem’s true, humble king of peace, riding a young donkey, wept.
