The King Comes to Save
Zechariah 9:9-12
Thursday — December 1st
No one traveled quite like a king . Chariots , armed guards , and horses all accompanied the king when he traveled . The king would even ride on the horse to signal to everyone his power and importance . But not the king to whom Zechariah pointed . When the people looked forward to this king ’ s arrival , they should do it looking for a king on a donkey . They would be looking for a humble king .
Humility rarely impresses . The power position , parades of followers on social media , glamour , fame . These impress us . However , humility doesn ’ t necessarily mean a lack of power . It just means that power isn ’ t on display . Humility doesn ’ t mean a lack of care for oneself . It means considering others more important . Humility doesn ’ t flaunt success or status . Humility willingly takes the lower position . Because of this , humility isn ’ t always attractive to us . Shamefully , the humble and weak are often ignored by us .
Humility would be the sign that the promised King had arrived . The people were to rejoice when they saw the humble coming king . He would come to observe human history , not from above , but by actually getting into it . He would come fully righteous , perfect before , God . He wouldn ’ t wait for people to come to him . He would restore his people to a right relationship with their God .
On Palm Sunday , the king came into Jerusalem . Zechariah is talking about that event . But his words can just as well apply to the arrival of the king to this world . Jesus entered human history . Jesus came perfect and righteous . He didn ’ t wait for you to come to him . In love Jesus came to you . He restored you to God . When Jesus arrived in Bethlehem he already was the kind , humble yet victorious King . He was weak , yet completely strong . Jesus arrived bringing peace between you and God , peace because Jesus , the king , came to save .
PRAYER :
King Jesus , prepare our hearts to once again receive you as king even as you come as a little baby . Give us faith to trust that , although you looked humble , weak , and dependent on others , you were in fact the victorious king . We praise you for your humility and the peace that comes because of you . Amen .
ACTIVITY :
Consider the peace you have with God . Make a list of friends and family members who don ’ t know that peace like you do . What could you do to share with them how that peace makes you feel ?
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