The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem marks Jesus’ last week before his crucifixion and resurrection. It is marked with layers of royal imagery and disappointed expectation.

This event is recounted in all four gospels, but Matthew’s account alone references two animals brought to Jesus, a donkey and a colt, as a more direct citation of Zechariah’s prophecy [Zech 9:9 /

Matt 21:5]. Yet what we will see in this story is the divine orchestration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The Old Testament references reassert the kingly image, not just from the prophet Zechariah but also from the history of the Kings of Israel. These connections between the two testaments point to the divine hand of God guiding all of human history to this final week of Jesus’ life. This week of passion, this week of suffering, death, and resurrection is the pivotal week of all human history. This is the week of salvation, the week when God the Father ushers in the restoration of his fallen creation through the blood of His Son, Jesus.