Mark 11:1-11 (NIV)

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Today’s passage brings us to a scene that might be familiar to you. But the backstory might be less familiar. Jesus comes into Jerusalem riding a young donkey. Everyone is singing “Hosanna.” If you’ve been in church much, you know this as “Palm Sunday.” But why the donkey? Why the procession at all? Jesus is embodying a picture of Israel’s king from the book of Zechariah. And in so doing, he is making the boldest statement yet about what his kingdom looks like. The prophecy in Zechariah describes the entrance of a king—righteous, victorious, but humble. He is not on a war horse. He holds no battle bow. In fact, in this picture, the instruments of war are undone, and peace is proclaimed to all nations. Can you see it?

As you listen to the passage read aloud, try to place yourself in the scene. This is the entrance of the Messiah everyone’s been waiting for. What are your thoughts, feelings, questions, as you witness what’s happening here?

----------REFLECT----------

1. What details caught your attention in this passage?

2. Popular expectations of messiah included some kind of overthrow of the powers of the oppressive roman state. How does the image of Jesus riding a peace donkey square with these expectations? If you had expected a war horse, how might you respond?

3. Zechariah’s picture of the King is one who brings the Shalom the world has been waiting for - peace and restoration, the laying down of weapons in the pursuit of wholeness and justice. In what ways do you long for that Shalom? Or in what areas might the Holy Spirit be asking you to lay down your weapons and walk with this humble King?

----------GO DEEPER----------

Bible Project: Mark Overview >>

Bible Project: The Gospel >>

Bible Project: Gospel of the Kingdom >>

----------CONNECT----------

Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>