Jesus was riding a donkey a rather unusual animal one might think for such a triumphant entry. In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace. So the riding of the donkey was not demeaning, it wasn’t a symbol of lacking power. When Jesus indicates to his disciples that he should ride on a donkey that no one had ever ridden before, he is initiating a public, kingly act. He is revealing openly that he is the Messiah.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on what could only be the most chaotic day; it was Passover. Jerusalem was the centre of the Jewish faith. Everyone would be there and ironically most of them wouldn’t even know God was right there in their midst. They were too busy expecting this great king; a man who would lead the nation to their greatest moment as they would go to war and defeat their Roman oppressors.