The crowd made way for their promised Messiah, but did they even realize who He was?  Word of Him had been circulating.  He was preaching everywhere.  His words had authority.  He healed many.  He did amazing miracles.  He even brought life back to the dead.  He had become quite a celebrity.  This had to be the King of the Jews; the one who was promised by the ancient prophets; the one who would deliver them from their oppressors.

You would think a king would enter in a little more pomp and circumstance.  He could have chosen a magnificent stallion, with an army of guards and at least worn a crown and robes of purple.  Instead, He chose to come in a humble way, just as He did 33 years prior to this.  His birth was unassuming.  He was born in a place where animals were kept.  He did this all to show that He was the one written about.

Dear, Lord, you took it on yourself to come to us in humility.  The only ones to announce your birth were lowly shepherds, but holy angels sang for you and rich men from the East bowed down to worship you.  You came to Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and soon would travel the Via dolorosa as people mocked and spat on you.  Help me to remember your true purpose for your life – to give your life for me; to wash my sins away and to guarantee me eternal life.