"See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey" - Matthew 21:5
Jerusalem was alive on the day Jesus entered the city on a donkey foal (Matthew 21:5).
The city was already filled with rejoicing because of Passover, and the news that Jesus was coming had spread quickly. People rushed into the streets. Cloaks were thrown to the ground. Palm branches were cut down and waved in the air. The crowd shouted, “Hosanna,” which meant “save us now.”
They believed they were witnessing the beginning of something powerful. After many generations of waiting, the King had finally arrived. However, they did not understand what kind of King He truly was. The city and its inhabitants were elated with anticipation. For they expected power, dominance, and, perhaps above all, immediate change. They expected Jesus to take power, overthrow oppression, and establish something visible and political. In their minds, this would be the turning point where everything would finally go their way. The turning point they had been waiting for for so many hundreds of years!
Jesus came humbly
Jesus, however, did not come in full regalia as they expect a King to enter; dressed in royal attire, riding on a graceful, powerful horse, and followed by a horde of soldiers.
Jesus came humbly, not on a warhorse but on a donkey, not in royal attire but in His own clothing, and not followed by troops of soldiers, but by His twelve disciples; a motley “bunch” of ordinary men. Fishermen and farmers.
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” - Zechariah 9:9-10
This was not random. It was intentional. It fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9-10. 
But even more, it revealed something deeper about who He truly was. He did not come to seize power in the way they wanted. He came to lay down His life!
All those people who shouted “Hosanna” at the gates would ultimately not all be present at the cross. Some disappeared. Some would doubt. Some would change completely. Not because Jesus failed, but because He did not meet their expectations.
They wanted a Savior who would resolve their situation, but Jesus came to forgive their sin. They wanted comfort and control, but Jesus asked for surrender. They wanted a crown, but Jesus, however, wore no crown, but a cross.
When following costs something
It is easy to choose Jesus when it feels like He is moving in your favor. When life is flowing smoothly and everything is in place. When prayers are answered exactly as you had hoped or perhaps even expected. In those moments, praise and worship come naturally.
But what if He leads you somewhere you hadn’t planned, somewhere you hadn’t hoped for? When obedience require sacrifices, and when following Him really cost you something?
The path He walked does not first lead to a throne. It leads to a cross, to dying to yourself and taking up your cross.
The crowd that welcomed Him in Jerusalem that morning with much cheering and fanfare praised Him loudly, but many did not want to stay when things became difficult.
Following Him begins not only from excitement but, above all, from a conscious decision.
Ask yourself: Do you really want Jesus for who He is, or only for what you think He can give you? For calling Him King means something. It means that you are not the one determining the direction of your life. You do not negotiate. You do not follow only when it is convenient or advantageous, but you follow Him to the end.
Do you merely acknowledge Him? Or have you decided to actually follow Him? 
Are you walking proudly with Him? Show the world that He changed your life, or playfully remind them that “y’all need Jesus” – grab your favorite cap now in the webshop!
