Kingly Ride on a Donkey

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Sunday, March 29, 2026

Today’s Text: Matthew 21:1–11 and Philippians 2:5–11

Key Verse: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” — Matthew 21:5 (ESV)

Palm Sunday stands as one of the most profound paradoxes in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ: the King of glory enters Jerusalem not on a warhorse, not with earthly splendor, and not with the symbols of political power, but on a donkey’s colt. This was not the accident of circumstance; it was the deliberate fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9's prophecy, the quiet thunder of divine humility, and the holy announcement that Christ’s kingdom does not advance by the methods of pride, force, or self-display. The crowd cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” yet many misunderstood the kind of King He had come to be. They wanted a conqueror by human definition, but Jesus came as the gentle Savior, the Servant-King, the Redeemer who conquers not by crushing others, but by laying down His life for them.

A king on a donkey?! Yes—because in the economy of God, humility is not weakness; it is holy strength under control. Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem reveals that true greatness does not always ride in with noise and grandeur. Sometimes true authority comes wrapped in meekness, and true power is clothed in surrender. The One who could have summoned angels chose instead to submit to the Father’s will. The One who spoke creation into existence entered the city in lowliness, showing us that Heaven’s highest throne is accessed through the valley of humility. This is the pattern of our Lord: before the crown comes the cross, before exaltation comes obedience, and before glory comes self-emptying love.

Philippians 2 calls us to this same mind in Christ Jesus, who “being in the form of God… made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” He did not cling to status, demand privilege, or insist on visibility. Rather, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Palm Sunday therefore is not only a celebration of messianic arrival; it is a summons to discipleship. If our King entered in humility, then His people cannot walk in pride. If our Savior chose the donkey, then our hearts must renounce the horse of arrogance, the chariot of ego, and the throne of self-exaltation. The path of Christ is still the path of lowliness, and those who follow Him must learn that the way up in the kingdom is always the way down in surrender.

Action Steps: Today, intentionally meditate on the humility of Jesus. Ask the Lord to reveal every place in your life where pride, self-importance, or the craving for recognition has taken root. Choose one practical act of humility today—serve quietly, forgive readily, listen carefully, or put another person’s needs before your own. As you wave your palm of praise, also lay down the branch of pride. Let your worship not only celebrate Christ’s kingship, but also submit to His lordship. Receive Him today not merely as the King who enters Jerusalem, but as the King who enters the heart that is humble enough to welcome Him.

Quote for the Day: “Jesus' Kingly ride on a donkey is a lesson to this arrogant generation that the highest throne in God’s kingdom is reached by the lowest road of humility.” — (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Lord Jesus, on this Palm Sunday, I welcome You as my King and my Savior. Thank You for coming in humility, for choosing the donkey over the display of earthly power, and for showing me the beauty of meekness. Deliver me from pride, self-seeking, and the hunger for applause. Teach me to walk the lowly road with You, to serve without being seen, to obey without delay, and to honor You with a surrendered heart. Let the same mind that was in You be in me today and always. In Your holy name, Amen.

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Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study on this topic, please read: Zechariah 9:9; John 12:12–16; Mark 10:42–45.

Happy Palms Sunday with all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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