Jesus, in faith, was persuaded that this prophetic zecharianic text was written of Him – and was now literally being fulfilled, as J.C. Ryle, in Matthew, 213-214, points out. Christ believed with all his heart that His disciples would find the foretold colt – the Word of His Father could never disappoint. He sends them out trusting all arrangements will have been made by God, so He can make His humble entrance, just as His Father ordained, before then being crucified center-stage, steeped in all our ignominious stains. 

What a happy time it has been for me as the Lord has refreshed me while I’ve been reading through Matthew’s Gospel – I trust that continues to be your experience also in your devotions in His Book as you seek promised, prayed-for, daily bread.

This morning I’ve been reflecting upon the requisitioned ‘Colt’ on which Jesus rode upon as He entered the capital city on Palm Sunday. Various views are suggested as to how Messiah knew two donkeys would be ‘ready and present’ when sought.

Prearranged SIGNAL?

As Ridderbos points out we don’t necessarily have to rule that out. Leon Morris thinks it problematic though not an insuperable hurdle. Yet, without any mention of the ‘pass-word’ arrangement, further information given to disciples, or texts or tweets to insure the beasts and owner were at home, it does look like a stretch to make this argument from deafening silence. Not impossible then, but highly unlikely. Matthew, like other Evangelists, directs us to other options.

Powerful SOVEREIGNTY?

Scholars assure us that the ‘power of requisitioning’ was granted to kings: that fact alone makes this a messianic claim . Such authority was shared by rabbis in those days: there was not a hint of presumption at all on the part of our LORD. We are comfortable with the claim Christ laid to the colt, not only as teacher, nor simply as a monarch, but finally as Creator of all creatures in the cosmos. The crown right of Christ is beyond any doubt, yet it still begs the question ‘How did Jesus know?’

Read More