Why were the Jews shocked by Jesus' coming as a servant?
The Jews expected a royal conqueror to arrive riding a white steed, like a Roman general or Roman emperor. Instead, Jesus came lowly as a servant, even washing His disciples' feet. They could not understand how the Creator and King of Israel and the whole planet could do that.
Les explains that this is what threw such a curve at the Jews. They were looking for someone to come in on a white steed, like a Roman general or emperor, but here He comes as a servant. He was presenting Himself as the king, but more as a servant, lowly, riding upon the foal of the ass. He epitomized this when He washed the disciples' feet. They could not understand how the very creator of the universe, the one who had come to be king not only of Israel but of the whole planet, could get down on His knees and wash the disciples' feet. So He came as the lowly servant, not as Adam with total dominion.