Sandy’s Devotional:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Psalm 98:4-6
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout for joy, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 (most English translations leave out the word “and” which is in the original Hebrew text)
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter of Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:1-9
The word “HARIOU!”, “Shout aloud” in both Psalm 98 (and many other biblical verses) and in Zechariah 9:9, is seen when the King of Kings humbly enters Jerusalem. Multitudes of people are shouting aloud “Hosanna!” (save us). What a magnificent scene to see the King of King entering on a colt, meek yet glorious. Most artists portray this scene with only one donkey/ colt, but the text clearly indicates a foal and a colt. Jesus rode upon the younger animal, the colt, which had never been ridden. In the midst of the tumult and excitement – two things calmed the unbroken animal - the loving, gentle hands of the Messiah and the mother foal who stayed close enough to reassure her baby colt. It is two things that are essential to calm a baby – the love of the Creator and the love of the mother. This is our prayer and hope for the Be’ad Chaim mothers – to know that God is the ultimate comforter and be enabled to comfort and love their babies.
