PRAYER PRACTICE
SPOKEN PRAYER: Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
The Coming Messiah
by Pr. Dave Mann
The book from which these verses are drawn was penned by the prophet and priest Zechariah. He was born in Babylonia and was part of the group that returned to Jerusalem from exile in 538 B.C. Among other messages, Zechariah gives us numerous prophetic glimpses of the coming Messiah – his lowliness (6:12), his humanity (6:12; 13:7), his rejection and betrayal (11:12-13), his priesthood (6:13), his kingship (6:13; 9:9;14:9,16), his coming in glory (14:4), and the building of the temple (6:12-13).
In chapter 9, we see the Messiah as a victorious yet humble king entering the city of Jerusalem. There were two ways a king could enter a city, each with its own distinctive message. If a king arrived on a steed, a proud warhorse, the townsfolk could expect trouble. The coming of the king had a military purpose; blood would be shed. However, if a king arrived on a donkey, a humble mount, the coming was clothed in peace and blessing -- no chariots or warhorses, no bows, no arrows -- but rather, peace, a broad and lasting peace, as far as the people could imagine – from sea to sea, even from the River of Babylon (the Euphrates) to the ends of the earth.
The community of faithful believers was expectantly looking forward to the time when their Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey. No wonder the crowd was ecstatic with joy when they saw Jesus riding a colt, the foal of a donkey, descending the slope of the Mount of Olives, crossing the Kidron Brook, and climbing uphill to enter Jerusalem.
There are many comings of the Lord. The return to Jerusalem of the exiled people of God. The triumphal entry of Jesus on Palm Sunday. Jesus’ entering our hearts now. The long-expected arrival of Jesus as the returning King in the last days.
How is the Lord coming into your life? Are you at war with him? Does he have cause to confront rebellion in you? Or does he come with the assurance of forgiveness and peace?
Lord Jesus, King Jesus, Messiah Jesus, I long for your kingdom to be established firmly in my life. Though I have rebelled against you, I welcome your forgiveness and peace. I bow before you. I cheer your arrival. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Come, Lord Jesus. Maranatha! Amen.
Pastor Dave:
I learned something new on you blog today. I did not realize a conquering king would ride a donkey into the city if he were a man of peace. I shared this tidbit with my wife. Thanks.
I am reminded of the expected return of Jesus as triumphant King for all of us so blessed to have been saved by grace--the greatest gift of our arriving King. Yesterday one could feel the shouts of the crowd as they proclaimed Hosanna to the King of Kings. I can only imagine what those accolades will be like on His final return. Can't wait!!!!
Robin Lorms