Jesus: The Humble Victor

Matthew 21: 1 – 10 (NIV): 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, tell him 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 the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, 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, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 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!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

Jesus rode into town gently, on a donkey with her colt by her side. He arrived into Jerusalem, not to conquer the city or defeat the Romans, but to conquer the enemy of mankind and bring peace with God. He came into Jerusalem this way to fulfill the prophecy Matthew quotes in this passage. It is from Zechariah 9:9.
By fulfilling this prophecy, Jesus showed that he was the Messiah. The Messiah must be a king and he must be God himself. Jesus rode into town, not as a victorious king returning from battle, but as a humble king bringing peace. Later in the week, he would provide that peace by his own death. On the night Jesus was born, the angel said he would bring peace to earth; the next Friday, he would do so. The veil in the temple tore from top to bottom while Jesus was on the cross to show that Jesus was opening the way for all men to have fellowship with God.
On the cross, Jesus satisfied God's wrath toward sinful man. He paid in full our debt to God for our sins. Therefore, he brought peace with God. But he wasn't finished. Then he conquered death when he rose again and proved that there is life after death for all who believe.
This is the humble, gentle Jesus we think of, coming into town to sacrifice himself for us. A man who loved everyone and taught us how to truly live. But the Bible doesn't end here. Revelation 19: 11 - 16 says Jesus is going to ride into town again. He is going to return. When he does, he will not arrive gently, on a donkey. He will come on a white horse as a conquering king. He will slay the enemies of God. He will bring God's wrath against those who reject him. And he will rule the universe as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.