Hosanna to the Messiah!

While Jesus would not be crowned an earthly king, Jesus's entrance into Jerusalem has many parallels to the Messianic expectations of the Hebrew people.  Before entering, Jesus requisitions a donkey from its owner. In the ancient world, kings had this right. Yet the animal that Jesus requests is rare—a colt upon which no one else has sat yet.  Yet, it is a donkey.  This is no great war-charger, no magnificent animal.  Jesus acts with all the authority of an earthly king, yet his kingdom is one of simplicity and peace. As the disciples throw cloaks over the donkey, the crowd spreads theirs on the road.
 
This ancient gesture dates back to the line of kings descended from David. Not only are these physical kingly gestures, but the crowd of followers cries out in jubilation and praise. The Messiah has come to Jerusalem!
 
 
(from LPi)