The Coming King

Zechariah 9:9-12

If we take a survey of leaders, whether in politics or business, from the past or present, pride and power would be a common characteristic of many of them.  Humility wouldn’t show up too often.  In our Scripture passage today, taken from the Book of Zechariah the prophet, we will read of the greatest leader, that being the Lord Jesus Christ, and how He came into what will be His capital city, not in pride and power, but in humility.

In ancient times, both donkeys and horses carried a lot of symbolism in them.  A donkey was a more humble beast, whereas the horse symbolized power and strength.  One riding a donkey came in peace, where the horse was used in war.  As we look back in history, one powerful military leader in the ancient Middle East was Alexander the Great, who lived about 300 years prior to Jesus  He conquered the lands from Greece and Egypt to the borders of India and north into present-day Kazakhstan.  Alexander traveled and fought upon a very large and powerful black war horse named Bucephalus, who was as dear to him as any family member.  Everyone knew that when Alexander came riding into town, he wasn’t looking for peace.  He came to conquer and bring the countries into submission.

As we look into our passage, we see a contrasting King, one who comes into Jerusalem, not upon a conquering horse, but upon a donkey (vs. 9).  This prophecy was fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ, over 500 years after Zechariah prophesied it.  Just as the ancient kings of Israel would often ride a donkey to their coronation and other ceremonial occasions, Jesus rode a donkey, showing His rightful royal status as Messiah and King David’s heir.  The people at the time should have seen and recognized this prophecy.  As the Son of God and the Second Person of the Trinity, He could have conquered Jerusalem with just a word.  Instead He chose to ride into that city humbly, upon a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:12-16).

There are four phrases in verse 9 that describe the Messiah.  The first being, He is King.  Second, He is just. He will rule with fairness and justice, not just to suit certain favored ones.  Third, He brings salvation.  Jesus died to save all mankind from sin and eternal death, and those who call upon Him will find this salvation.  And lastly, He is humble or lowly.  Unlike the proud and powerful leaders we all know of, Jesus is humble.

Verse 9 tells us to rejoice greatly and shout in triumph.  Often throughout history, when a foreign, conquering warlord came into a city, the people would cower and hide in fear, or else stare in sullen silence.  The crowds in Jerusalem shouted out Hosanna to Jesus when He came in.  Hosanna is a word that can mean both “save us” or “Praise to God”.

Verse 9 was fulfilled when Jesus came the first time.  Verse 10 will be fulfilled when He comes the second time. When we view two mountains in the distance, they can appear very close to each other, maybe even looking like they touch each other. Yet in reality they can be miles apart, perhaps even separated by a large valley.  Some prophecies, though versed together, have fulfillment years, even ages apart.  When Jesus comes the second time, He will bring peace to the nations, and His dominion will be from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth.

In verse 11 we read of the “blood of the covenant”.  God’s covenants are ratified or approved by blood sacrifices, as we read throughout the whole Old Testament.  The New Covenant, or New Testament has been ratified by blood, as well.  The new covenant that God has given man was ratified by the Blood of Jesus, which He shed upon the Cross.

The final verse of our Scripture passage speaks a promise that God has made to His children.  To those who have accepted the new covenant that He has made by claiming Jesus as their Savior, God has promised that He will replace the losses in our life with rich blessings.  These blessings will outweigh our losses, even restoring them double to us.  What a precious promise that we can look forward to!