Did our Lord, on what religion calls Palm Sunday, actually ride in triumphantly into Jerusalem to become King?

Or is His true triumph still to come?

True, the townspeople cried: “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:12-13).  They cast palm branches (verse13) before Him.

But Jesus entered the city, riding “an ass’s colt” (Verses 14-15). This was not a very regal entry for a King!

Once before, when He knew that they “would come and take Him by force to make Him a King, He departed…into a mountain Himself alone” (John 6:15).

He knew that it was not yet time for Him to reign. It was as if “the Father” had said ‘First must come the cross, then the throne.’

Zechariah had prophesied of this entry into Jerusalem, writing: “Behold thy King!” Look at Him! and then Zechariah prophetically describes His entrance: “Lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass” (Zech.9:9).

At this entry to Jerusalem, “When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it” (Luke 19:41). At this entry He entered into the temple, looked about and went out again (Mark 11:11). It was His “Father’s house,” but He could not worship there. It had become “a den of thieves,” with the religious class extorting money from the people.

No, this was not His triumphal entry. Look at Him, meek, lowly, riding on an ass’s colt. But we can see Him coming again, as Revelation describes it. How different the symbolism!

Revelation 19:11-16 (KJV) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ¹²  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. ¹³ And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Once meek, lowly, and “having salvation,” now, “in righteousness doth He judge and make war.” Once, riding “an ass’s colt,” now, “Behold! a white horse!” And those eyes, once filled with tears are now “as a flame of fire.”

Our Lord’s true triumphal entry is still future. According to prophecy He will come again, put down all rebellion against Himself, and reign in glory and power. Thank God He has not yet done so! In love He still points to Calvary’s cross, where He died for our sins and offers us the riches of His grace.

“Who was delivered for our offences (sins), and was raised again for our justification (right standing” (Rom.4:25).

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved… (Acts 16:31)