A Servant King

[sharky67]

A Servant-King


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Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. - Zechariah 9:9
These words of the prophet Zechariah were originally proclaimed to the people of Judah who had become discouraged after returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Things just weren’t the same. The city, along with its glorious temple was still in ruins. And every time they tried rebuilding, something went wrong. Not only was there opposition from the Samaritans and other neighbors, but many of their own people were dragging their feet. They had been hoping that things would be the way they used to be. They looked forward to a completed temple, a rebuilt city, and the coming of the Messiah. When these things didn’t happen right away, they began to lose hope.
Zechariah spoke God’s word that pointed the people away from their present woes to the future and the coming of the Messiah: “See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The coming of Christ was so certain that Zechariah wanted the people to look and “see” him. He wanted them to see that he would be a different kind of king. What are your first thoughts when you think of a king? Maybe you picture King Arthur and his knights in shining armor. Or perhaps you think of someone like Israel’s first king, Saul, who was an impressive man, athletically built, standing a head taller than most men. Samuel said, “There is no one like him among all the people.”
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey just a week before he would be crucified, it was clear that he was a different kind of king. From all outward appearances he didn’t look like much of a king. There was no band of soldiers at his side flaunting their weapons and strength. Instead he came with gentleness. Even his vehicle was lowly and unintimidating, not a powerful war-horse, but a wobbly colt. Yet this king was righteous and having salvation. Instead of seizing his position with an army or by force, he earned it by doing everything that his heavenly Father commanded. Not only is Jesus perfectly righteous – without sin of any kind, but he takes his righteousness and gives it to his unrighteous people. He has salvation, and he freely distributes it.
Take comfort in the fact that Jesus didn’t come as a king to dominate or rule with a heavy hand, but to be like us in every way, except without sin. Take comfort in the fact that he humbled himself and came to be with us, to care for us, to die and rise again for us. And as you remember his death today in your Good Friday worship, rejoice that this king came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness; I am your sin. I thank you that you became what you were not, so that I might be what I am not. Amen.