"[9] 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.
[10] I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
and he shall speak peace to the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth."
HUMBLE IS HE
Today, we zoom in on the humility of the coming king— "humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
The term "humble" is a distinct term of lowliness. It's a term used to describe the poor and needy of society. So, the long-anticipated king, who will usher in salvation, will come in humble lowliness. He will not come to be served; he will come to serve. Humble and riding on a donkey is he.
During this time, horses would have symbolized war and power (Isaiah 31:1-3; 1 Kings 4:26). Unlike donkeys, horses are big, fast, strong, and powerful. But this king who will save his people won't come mounted on a horse; he will come mounted on a donkey. He will come in gentle lowliness, not boastful oppression.
The humble king would come as the good shepherd who would lay his life down for his sheep. No one would take his life from him; he would willingly give it up. He is the one who possesses the authority to lay his life down on his own accord so that he might take it up again (Jn. 10:18).
The way of the Kingdom of God is one of imitating Christ.
As we engage the lost with the gospel, we do so humbly because the kingdom of God will advance not by the power of the sword but by the gentle and loving proclamation of the gospel. As we live with one another in the church, we do so humbly, gently, and peacefully because we are members of the same body. As a husband, wife, child, father, or mother, we are to humbly and selflessly place the wants and desires of one another above our own because that’s the way of God’s kingdom.
We should strive for every aspect of our lives to reflect the character of our king. Every aspect of our lives as Christians should reflect the peace and humility demonstrated in Christ. May every breath of our lives reflect the humble service that Christ has displayed to us on the cross.
PRAY
“God, you are trustworthy and good. All your paths are rooted in steadfast love and faithfulness. You lead the humble in what is right, and you teach them your way. So, please instruct this sinner in your way.”