Matthew stood among the disciples, his heart quickening with the anticipation of the day's events. The air was thick with expectation as Jesus instructed them to find a donkey tied nearby.
"Go into the village ahead of you," Jesus said, his voice calm yet commanding. "There you will find a donkey tied, with a colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me."
Matthew glanced at his companion, a mix of excitement and nervousness in his eyes. "Do you think the owner will let us take them?" he asked, adjusting his cloak against the morning chill.
Peter, the other disciple, shrugged. "The Master said they would," he replied confidently, pointing ahead. "Look, there they are."
As Matthew approached, a man emerged from a nearby house, eyeing them curiously. "What are you doing with those animals?" the man asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.
"The Lord needs them," Peter explained, his tone unwavering.
The man nodded slowly, a look of understanding crossing his face. "Then take them," he said, stepping back.
Matthew walked beside Jesus, who now sat upon the donkey. The rhythmic clop of hooves was accompanied by the soft rustle of robes and the murmur of voices.
"It feels like a dream," Matthew mused aloud, gazing at Jesus with wonder.
"It is the fulfillment of prophecy," Jesus replied gently, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
Children ran ahead, their laughter mixing with the jubilant cries of adults. Matthew felt a swell of emotion as palm leaves were strewn across the path, a green carpet welcoming their king.
"Hosanna!" the crowd shouted, voices rising in unison. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Jesus rode with quiet dignity, his presence commanding and serene amidst the chaos. Matthew walked alongside, his heart overflowing with devotion.
"Truly, he is the King of Kings," Matthew whispered to himself, feeling the weight of the moment.
As Jesus entered the city, the world seemed to hold its breath, caught in the gravity of a prophecy fulfilled. The palm leaves rustled beneath the donkey's hooves, a testament to the journey of faith and the dawn of a new era.
