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. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
~ Zechariah 9:9,10
God, our Heavenly Father, spoke through the prophet Zechariah. He foretold Jesus’ memorable entrance into Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. He exclaimed, Rejoice greatly…Shout..! This message built up hope, joy and excitement for the coming King and Savior.
Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. What kind of king rides on a lowly donkey? What kind of king seeks to proclaim peace to the nations–an extended peace without a single weapon of war?
Jesus did! Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that Sunday, knowing that he would face death on Friday. Jesus, the King, meekly entered Jerusalem for the proud and pompous. Jesus, the perfect One, rode on for the disobedient and defiant to face the punishment our sins deserved, so that he could win and proclaim the peace of God’s forgiveness.
So, rejoice greatly and shout! Your King came for you. And your King still comes to you through his Word to proclaim his peace and fill your heart with his joy.
Prayer: King Jesus, let the peace which you won for me rule my heart and mind. Let it overflow in joy in my life as well. Amen.
Ride on, ride on in majesty! Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry.
O Savior meek, pursue your road, with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die.
O Christ, your triumphs now begin o’er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on, ride on in majesty! The angel armies of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes to see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on, ride on in majesty! Your last and fiercest strife is nigh.
The Father on his sapphire throne awaits his own anointed Son.
Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die.
Bow your meek head to mortal pain, then take, O God, your power and reign.
Henry Hart Milman (1827)
Living Hope Church 