Monday, October 19, 2009

The Humble King

triumphal entry Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy (Matthew 21:1-5) when He entered Jerusalem on the week of His passion. Zechariah is one of the most Messianic of the Old Testament prophets, containing prophecies that are relevant to the first advent and to the future coming of Christ. It is a fascinating book for this reason alone.

What is remarkable in this passage is the humility of the deliverer who rides into Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem has been conquered numerous times. It is an ancient city filled with a history of war and subjugation. But Jesus is pictured differently. He is not pictured as a war general on a tall stallion parading His troops in a spectacle of captured prisoners. Instead, He is the humble, righteous king who brings salvation with him as He is carried alone through the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt. The focus is on the salvation He brings in His person.

Other war generals have always focused on military deeds, but Jesus is seen as salvific in person, not just in command of an army or human power. There is no need for a show of power and troops. He is the power. He brings salvation in Himself. This humble king was different than any other king who ever lived. And He came into Jerusalem to give His life for the world. I can rejoice in my salvation today because Jesus rode triumphantly into the Holy City so long ago knowing that Calvary was His objective. And there, He would bring about the greatest victory against the worst foe of mankind. For in defeating sin and death, He made His believers more than conquerors through Him Who loved us!

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