The Colt in Biblical History
Throughout Scripture, the colt—a young donkey—served as a practical animal in ancient Near Eastern life. We encounter colts in various contexts, from Jacob's poetic description in Genesis 49:11, where he speaks of binding "his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine," depicting abundance and blessing. These young animals were valued possessions, yet humble by nature, making them distinctly different from horses, which symbolized military might and human pride.
The most spiritually significant colt in all of Scripture is the one described in Matthew 21:1-7, Mark 11:1-7, Luke 19:28-35, and John 12:12-15. When Jesus approached Jerusalem for His final week before the crucifixion, He deliberately chose to ride on a young donkey rather than a horse. This wasn't coincidental—it was the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, which prophesied: "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
The Significance of Jesus' Choice
Jesus' selection of the unridden colt carries profound spiritual meaning. In Matthew's account, he specifically notes that the disciples found "a donkey tied there, with her colt by her" (Matthew 21:2). The fact that the colt was unridden—never bearing a burden before—emphasizes its sacred purpose. This humble animal became the vehicle through which the King of Kings made His entrance, teaching us that true kingship operates in gentleness rather than force.
The colt symbolizes peace, not war. Kings typically rode horses when preparing for battle, but Jesus rode a donkey, announcing a kingdom of righteousness and salvation. The crowds recognized this significance immediately, spreading their cloaks on the road and crying out, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9). By riding the colt, Jesus demonstrated that His kingdom would be established not through military conquest, but through humility, sacrifice, and redemptive love.
Application for Our Lives
What does the colt teach us as Canadian believers today? It reminds us that God often works through humble, unexpected means. We live in a culture that celebrates power, status, and human achievement, yet our Savior chose humility. When we're tempted to pursue our purposes through force or prominence, we're called to remember the colt—a simple, unadorned animal that carried the Messiah.
Perhaps the Lord is asking you to serve in a humble capacity, to lay down your preference for recognition, or to trust Him with an "unridden" season of your life—where you've never been before and feel unprepared. Like that colt, you may be called to carry something sacred. Trust that when you surrender to His purposes, even in humility, you participate in God's redemptive work in this world.
"See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." — Zechariah 9:9