It is interesting to compare and contrast the accounts of the arrival of the Ark in Jerusalem, recorded for us in 2 Samuel 6 and the arrival of The Messiah in Luke 19.38-40.
Occasion
Both were highly anticipated occasions. The Messiah’s triumphal arrival was perhaps the mostly hotly awaited event in the nation’s history. It is difficult to not overstate the significance and importance of this symbolic fulfilment. And likewise the Ark’s arrival had been a long time coming. The ark initially came, carried on a new cart and that didn’t turn out well. A reading of scripture would have made it clear that there was a right way for the ark to be brought in (Num. 4:15, 1 Chr. 15.2, 15). Scripture also dictated how Christ would be brought in and needless to say He made no mistake in its fulfilment. He came riding on a colt, just as Zechariah had prophesied (Zech. 9:9). It is intriguing to ponder that unlike the oxen that stumbled, this colt carried The Saviour without hiccup, despite it being an animal ‘on which no one had ever sat’ (Lk. 19.30, cf. John 19:41).
Celebration
Both events are accompanied with great noise and celebration. David composed a Psalm which was handed over to Asaph for the occasion. It was quite something. One can imagine the streets and footpaths being lined with the faithful and the curious. They all would have wanted to be in on the thing if for no other reason than David was handing out bread and cake, on-the-house so to speak. But for the faithful this was about more than the freebies. It was about God dwelling with His people and it was about re-instating true worship.
The celebrations for the Messiah’s procession were not as elaborate or organised. Christ made do with cloaks as there was no saddle. And He made do with garments as there was no red carpet. Whilst this and the waving of palm branches were spontaneous acts, they were not absent-minded. Forming a covered path had a precedent, with Jehu’s coronation (2 Kings 9:13).
In the case of the ark, we might speculate that it came from the West, Kereath-Jerim being that side of Jerusalem. Whereas the Lord clearly came from the East, descending the Mount of Olives (Lk. 19.37).
Dissension
Alas, not all onlookers shared in the celebratory spirit of the day. In David’s case, his wife scorned him for engaging with the common people. She felt it was beneath him to do such a thing. The Pharisees thought the same about The Lord of course but their beef on this day was different. They felt the praise and adulation was undue, perhaps even irreverent.
In both cases, the morbid onlookers are rebuked. David reassured Michal that he fully intended to go on praising The Lord, with or without his wife’s approval.
Michal’s comments leave us with one final comparison. Evidently what David did in laying aside his kingly garments was very much an act of humility. He would gladly associate with the commoner in his worship of Jehovah. He was not plagued with the insecurities of his predecessor. And like him, Christ, The Son of David very much celebrated in humility. For the animal he road upon was no war horse. Riding on a colt signalled very clearly that He came in peace (Zech. 9:9).
It all makes for a fascinating comparison. History repeating itself, centuries apart. One is but a feint shadow, the other the True. Yet as with all such comparisons, they all come to an end in Christ. For Christ knew that His arrival marked the awful beginning, of His journey to the cross. How glad we are, on account of the effectiveness of that journey that history will yet repeat itself once more. He will arrive again.
This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go…
Acts 1:11
