Mark 11:1-7 - As they approached Jerusalem

11:1-3

They are now approaching Jerusalem and about to enter. When they reached the Mount of Olives Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead of them. They were to go to the village ahead of them and take a colt that was tied there. This colt had never been ridden. Now to any observer this would look like theft! However, this had all been put in place in advance, it had all been planned for long ago. So if anyone asked them they were to say “The Lord needs it and will send it back here”. God had prepared the people in advance. So we see that God has even the smallest details in place, and while the events of our lives are far less momentous than what was happening here, God has taken care of many things that we tend to worry about.

11:4-7

The disciples did as they had been instructed and found a colt, tied to a doorway. And someone did ask what these apparent car thieves were doing. They gave the answer that Jesus had given them, and were allowed to go on their way with the colt. “They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it”. Other gospels make an explicit reference to Zech 9:9 (Matt 21:4,5; John 12:15).

If we look at Zech 9 it talks of God taking away the war machines, and of God defeating Israel’s enemies. So one can understand the people expecting a “military messiah”.