Over the years, I have struggled to grasp the meaning of true success. My search ended when I looked closely at the life of Jesus. He did only what was assigned to Him and followed everything that was written in the scriptures concerning Him. Let us illustrate this by recalling His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. When all was set for Jesus to take the last trip to Jerusalem, He sent for an ass to convey Him. One would have thought that a horse would have been a better option. What informed His choice? One reason was scriptural prediction. Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” From birth to baptism, raiment to ration, everything Jesus did was according to Scriptures. Even His death fulfilled the word of God.
“Even His death fulfilled the word of God.”
Another reason is the symbolic significance of both animals. An ass, as Zechariah puts it, is a lowly animal, a symbol of humility. Jesus was not going to ride on a horse which, on one hand, is a symbol of pomp and pageantry. He demonstrated that His Kingship is not after the pattern of this world. On the other hand, the horse represents war. The first coming of Jesus was not to wage war; He came to reconcile man to God. He came as the Prince of Peace. However, as our text points out, someday He will ride on a horse as a Man of war. If we say hosanna to Him today we need not fear the day of fury.