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The Humble King
In Zechariah 9, we see that Jesus is this humble king who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, defeated death by dying, and rose again to establish his peaceful kingdom.
What’s Happening?
After 70 years in ruins, God’s temple has been rebuilt. Zechariah says this means that soon God will return to Jerusalem like a king. When he does he will perpetually protect his people from evil and oppression (Zechariah 9:8). He will even open the borders of Jerusalem and allow Israel’s current enemies to become both citizens and leaders in a new kingdom (Zechariah 9:7). And once welcomed, God will protect all who are inside his city walls. Zechariah warns enemy cities that if they oppose God’s plans for Jerusalem, soon God will march out in war against them. His victory will be inevitable (Zechariah 9:2-5).
God’s people will know this era has begun when a new king rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. Zechariah promises he will be just and fair, with no need to wage war because God will win wars on his behalf (Zechariah 9:9a). Unlike the proud kings of the world, he is humble and won’t prove his dominance with a show of military power (Zechariah 9:9b). In fact, God will disarm this king’s military (Zechariah 9:10a). Trusting that God will do all the fighting, this king will then proclaim peace to the world he rules (Zechariah 9:10b).
Zechariah also says that on the day when this king arrives in his capital, God will liberate his people wherever they are enslaved. He will welcome them back into Jerusalem and give them double what they lost (Zechariah 9:11-12). Once inside the city walls, God will appear over Jerusalem in storm clouds (Zechariah 9:14). He will supernaturally use his disarmed people to defeat their enemies (Zechariah 9:13). Then the people of Israel will celebrate the victory and perfect peace that God provides (Zechariah 9:15-17).
Where is the Gospel?
Jesus understood that he was the king Zechariah described. Intentionally, he chooses a donkey to ride into Jerusalem (John 12:14). And unlike the proud leaders of Rome and Jerusalem’s temple, he did not wield weapons of death or warfare since his Kingdom is not a geo-political kingdom (John 18:36). Instead, in humility he rode into Jerusalem to liberate his people, knowing that it would cost him his life (Luke 19:42).
Indeed, the imperial power of Rome and the jealousy of the religious establishment murdered him. It was an act of war against God and his Kingdom. Storm clouds darkened the skies above Jerusalem that day (Matthew 27:45). Then supernaturally, and without a sword, God raised Jesus from the dead, victorious over the powers that killed him. Jesus now sits in heaven as King, ready to bring a New Jerusalem to earth (Revelation 21:1-2).
But Jesus is still waiting for his Kingdom and temple to be completed (Matthew 24:14). It’s not a temple built with stones but a temple made of people like you and me (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). As temples, God is with us and he will protect us. That means we can boldly offer, even to our enemies, the opportunity to belong to Jesus’ Kingdom and become a part of his ever-expanding global temple. Knowing that Jesus is King and more powerful than any nation, you and I must go and make citizens of God’s Kingdom throughout the world, in hopes that he will come soon (Matthew 28:18-20).
See for Yourself
I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who has given us a King. And may you see Jesus as our reigning King who has sent us to proclaim the good news that his Kingdom has come.