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Zechariah 9:9

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.

Zechariah made it clear that the coming king would not show up as a conqueror, sitting on a war stallion, leading his army into town. Jesus—the Messiah—would come in humility, riding on a colt. He would gently demonstrate love and compassion. Righteousness would characterize his person. Peace with God was delivered by Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

Jesus fulfilled this prophesy when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, five hundred years after Zechariah penned these words. He was welcomed with shouts, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” But by the end of that week, the fickle crowd was shouting “Crucify him!”

Do you know what turned the crowd against Jesus? They didn’t get what they wanted. They longed for a powerful king to deliver them from the rule of Rome. Jesus came as a servant to deliver them from the rule of sin. They desired a king to reign; Jesus came to die. Their attitude about Jesus changed because he wasn’t who they expected. Let us never make the same mistake.

Talking Points

• Are you disappointed that God hasn’t given you something you want? Talk to him about it. Don’t let your disappointment turn you away.
• Teach your children that God never promises to give us everything we want. But he will always give us everything we need.

Father, may I worship you for who you are; not for who I want you to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Under Attack: The Burden – Part 1