Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Hosanna: Christ the Eternal King

Zechariah 9:  9-17
v9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

Verse 9 of this chapter is a well known verse of prophecy and often quoted in the New Testament (Matt 21: 4; Jn12:14) Prophecy concerning Jesus. And the New Testament writers had no hesitation in saying; Identifying Zion’s king, He is Jesus the Christ. Verse 9 was fulfilled when Jesus’ rode into Jerusalem (the triumphal entry). Verse 10 will not be fulfilled until he returns and sets up his earthly kingdom. 3 things we learn regarding God’s king:
(1). The majesty of the king. “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem. See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation,”
(a) The majesty of his righteousness: We live in a world of repressive governments and tyrannical heads of state. Their record concerning human rights is both shameful and appalling. All of us long to see  righteousness and justice reign. Zechariah tells us it will one day be enacted and enforced.  But only when Jesus Christ reigns on the throne of the universe.
 (b). The majesty of His gentleness: “See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey”. This verse speaks of His meekness and humility and the opposite of most ancient kings.  Kings like Alexandra the Great who came in their pageantry and pride.  In contrast the Messiah comes; ‘Riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey’.
(2). The mastery of the king: A king riding on a donkey was a symbol of gentleness and humility. We tend to think of a donkey as a lowly animal: But to the Jew it was a beast fit for a king. Jesus is the Lord and master of the universe.  He is able to command and control the colt.  Apparently, it takes at least eight weeks to break in a colt. And another eight weeks or longer to train the young animal to behave in a crowd. Yet at his instructions: This animal submits to its creator. And in the middle of crowd’s hysteria, with great rejoicing, singing, and shouting all around him, King Jesus rode that colt into the city. What a picture of mastery and a picture of total control.
(3). The ministry of the king: “See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation”. The foremost purpose of Lord Jesus Christ coming into the world was to bring salvation to humans.  “This world of ours, with all of its tumult, division and injustice, needs not more education, reformation or litigation, but God’s salvation.”

PRAYER
Dear Lord, enlighten us to recognize the majesty, mastery and ministry of the true eternal king. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
If God can use a donkey, then He can use you. The donkey’s preparation for royal service is a guide for us to bring salvation.

Rev. Vinod Ninan,
Ebenezer MTC, Areeplachy, Punalur Kerala
 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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