ZECHARIAH 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

“I just love it when a plan comes together.” This is the famous quote of John “Hannibal” Smith in the TV series of the 1980s. This action-adventure series came to people’s rescue time and time again. You knew what was going to happen every show. The bad guys would get caught and end up in prison. The good guys (The A-Team) would leave as heroes.

Why is the world would I use that illustration for today’s verse, which just happens to be one of the most famous Messianic prophecies in Scripture? Because God’s plan came together. Here in Zechariah, it is prophesied that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Their King, their source of salvation would come in humbly. Even the Talmud (the central text of Rabbinic Judaism) refers to the Messiah riding an ass (donkey).

APPLICATION

Hallelujahs rang out in Jerusalem when they saw Jesus arrive. Matthew 21:6-7 says, “6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their cloaks on them; and He sat on the cloaks.” Can you just picture the people? They knew the prophecy of Zechariah. They were ecstatic – for a little while.

They didn’t get the full picture. The donkey represented the Jewish people. The foal represented the Gentiles. Jesus was sending a message that all would receive salvation through Him. He was the source of salvation for all mankind. This was not about an earthly kingdom. This was not about freedom from Rome. This was much bigger than that.

Do you get it? Jesus arrived humbly as THE KING of glory. He came to rescue you, me and everyone else from a certain destruction. He didn’t enter Jerusalem with an army. He didn’t need that. His power was enough to vanquish all sin. The cries of “Hallelujah” would quickly change to “Crucify Him.’ What are you shouting today? I hope it is “Hallelujah to the King of kings.”

I shout hallelujah to Your name, O Lord. You are my one and only King Jesus.