Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Hosanna: Christ, the King of Peace
Psalms 9:1-12
Vs 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."
“Savior: Christ, the Prince of Peace.” It is the declaration that Christ is the source of salvation; as an angel of the Lord told Joseph: “She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21) The extent of His salvation is all creation – especially those who find their savior in Christ.

                The passage from Zechariah contains three prophecies – two of them fulfilled and one yet to come. It is believed that the prophecy in vs. 1-8 was fulfilled through Alexander the Great. The fulfillment of vs. 9 is the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as given in all the four Gospels. In fact, Gospel of Matthew quotes from Zechariah 9:9 as proof of its fulfillment: “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,  “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”” (Matthew 21:4,5)

                We see four characteristics of this coming King. (1) He is a righteous king: This king is upright in His relationship and dealings with God and His people. He is just in what He says and does. There is no falsehood. (2) He is a king who saves: This king saves His people from the burdens of the values of the world and the ensuing sin. (3) He is a humble king: He comes down to the level of His people to know them and meet their needs. Riding on donkey is sign of humility. (4) He is king of peace: His peaceful reign over the entire world is given in vs. 10; the full extent of which is sure to fulfill (on Christ's second coming). He is “the Prince of Peace.”

                The character of the king defines His kingdom values. He requires that those who accept His kingship abide by His kingdom values. At this time of celebrating Christ's triumphal entry as king let us surrender to His kingship and rejoice in the privilege as His kingdom people.
 
PRAYER
Thank you Jesus for coming as a righteous, saving, humble, peace-giving king. Help us to follow You as Your kingdom people all the way. Amen 
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, … ;
His Kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.”
(Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)

Dr. Thomas Philip, Orlando Mar Thoma Church, Florida
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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