“1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1-11)
Jesus and the Apostles reach the outskirts of Jerusalem. After sleeping at Bethany, they go to the village of Bethphage on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives. Jesus asks two disciples to bring him a donkey and colt upon which he will ride into Jerusalem, thereby fulfilling the prophecy foretold in the Book of Zechariah about how the Messiah will enter the city. As Jesus enters the city, he is greeted cheerfully by the masses, who lay clothing and palm branches at his feet. As he continues into the streets of Jerusalem, many identify him as the prophet of salvation from the Galilee. Jesus rides a colt and donkey as a testament to his great humility. He does not choose to ride a horse or luxurious carriage. His mission is to herald world redemption. He does this by underscoring his humanity, in contrast to the greatness of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus understands that the spiritual future is what matters, not the fulfillment of his personal needs or desires. This is how he will begin his journey of sacrifice for the sake of humanity.
Joy is feeling the light of the Creator.
