Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The humble King who brings deliverance.

Bible Reading:  Zechariah 9: 1-12


Key Verse Vs 9

“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.” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬ ‭


DEVOTION

 During prophet Zechariah’ time there were no kings in Jerusalem. Moreover, they were reigned by foreign powers. He was looking to a future event. Zechariah 9:9 is a Messianic prophecy calling for joy in Jerusalem for the triumphant entry of a victorious King and the Messiah with the intrinsic characteristics of humility and righteousness. He is the Good Shepherd. His riding on the donkey symbolizes lowliness, humility and peace. He is the source of salvation and the reason for the forgiveness of our sins. This verse foretells a peaceful Leader rather than a warmonger, signaling the coming of a King who brings salvation; fulfilled by Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem on a colt on the first Palm Sunday(Matthew 21). The donkey walked on the red carpet of those days. People waved palm branches and cried out ‘Hosanna’. Zion and Jerusalem are poetically personified as daughters.
Donkeys were used by ordinary people for transportation. Jesus made an apt choice of a lowly animal, the donkey of peace, to ride to Jerusalem, fulfilling this prophecy.
When Jesus returns, He will again enter Jerusalem as the triumphant King of kings and will establish His Kingdom. He will not ride on a donkey then, but a horse as a conquering King. His headquarters or capital city will be Jerusalem. From there, He will rule over the entire earth. Between both His comings, is the age of grace or the church age.
Today is the day of salvation. He has promised us forgiveness for our repentance. But He has not promised us tomorrow for our procrastination. Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and His death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins now. He lives forevermore. His resurrection is the guarantee of our own resurrection from the dead.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank you and extol you Lord, for sending Your begotten Son to earth for our salvation. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Can we submit ourselves as a donkey for Christ to ride on, for His glory?


Saramma Chacko, Epiphany MTC, NY

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