Isaiah wrote of Israel’s hope that God would send a faithful heir of David’s royal line to rule forever (cf. 1 Kings 9:3-5). In Israel, donkeys were for kings (e.g. 1 Kings 1:33-44) as well as common people. But Zechariah 9:9-10, which Matthew cited, distinguished a king on a donkey, who came in peace, from the war horses and chariots of a conqueror. People hailed Jesus as the “Son of David,” God’s promise come true at last.

• Some who watched Jesus no doubt hoped he would lead a drive to kill the Romans and restore Israel’s power. His ride on a donkey pointed in a different direction. “When the chief priests and legal experts saw the amazing things he was doing and the children shouting in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were angry.” They didn’t want a gentle king, a “Son of David,” who said to love your enemies. Do you?
• “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Yet even after he met Jesus, Paul would write, “Now we see a dim reflection” (1 Corinthians 13:12). In what ways has Jesus already brought light into your dark world? In what ways are you waiting for the full brilliance of God’s light?