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A King Like No Other — Page 2
In verses 28-34, we see that this King knows all things and has authority over all things and so is worthy of our praise.
First, He knows all things.
As Jesus and His disciples are entering into Jerusalem, Jesus sends two of His disciples to get a donkey so that He can ride it into Jerusalem. He tells them precisely where they will find the donkey, how it will be tied up and what its owners would say. They find everything just as Jesus had said.
The fact that Jesus knows these details is a sign that every word that Jesus says is true and can be trusted. This will give hope to the disciples as they encounter difficult circumstances as they approach the unthinkable—the death of their king.
But this knowledge should also bring hope to you and me 2000 years later. The promises that Jesus gives to us in the Scriptures are just as valid as these promises to His disciples about the donkey. Every promise that Jesus makes will come to completion.
In addition to Jesus having all knowledge, we also see in this section that this king has all authority. When the disciples go to get the donkey, the owners ask in effect, “what are you doing with the donkey?” Their response to the owners is that the Lord, the real owner of the donkey, has need of it. Why this response went unquestioned is a bit puzzling except to say that Jesus knows exactly the right words to say to them before the occasion, and that He has authority over all.
But Jesus’ authority is also shown in the details of the donkey. The fact that Jesus rides a donkey points us back to Genesis 49 where the donkey is associated with the promises given to Judah who is the line of king David. Listen to these words from Genesis 49:10-11: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. He ties his foal to the vine, And his donkey's colt to the choice vine.” This ties Jesus to the throne of David and demonstrates His eternal reign over all the peoples.
This use of the donkey also points us back to Zechariah 9 where it prophesies of the coming Messiah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This is the One who is a king who is bringing great salvation to His people.
But even more than that, note the detail about the fact that the donkey is not trained. When I was a boy, I went with a friend to hike the Grand Canon. As we ran down the canon, we would pass by people riding on Mules which are half donkey. But the leaders of the Mule rides would make clear that we were to wait until their say-so in order not to startle the Mules. These were trained animals, but still, they would startle.
Keep this in mind as Jesus, in the excitement of the crowd, was riding into Jerusalem on an untrained donkey and the donkey remained calm. Jesus was showing His authority over even an untamed donkey and as a result, His authority over nature. He was in complete control of the situation because He has authority over all things.
This king knows all things and has authority over all things. What king in history or ruler today knows all things and has authority over all things?
This King is a King like no other
All hail the power of Jesus’ name
Let Angels Prostrate Fall
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown Him Lord of all
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