Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from seas to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
– Zechariah 9:9-10
Devotion
Here in verse nine, Zechariah writes concerning a coming King. Most scholars acknowledge that this is a picture of the future Messiah who would come to reconcile the world to God. Matthew actually quotes from Zechariah as he writes about Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This is a future picture of the first coming of the Messiah as the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world. In His first advent, the Messiah comes on a donkey (a sign of peace) to secure the salvation of mankind. Jesus said, “I came to seek and save that which was lost.” In His second advent, He will come riding upon a white horse (a sign of conquest) to establish His earthly kingdom. So he came the first time to die for our salvation, but the next time He will come to reign. In this passage we are given a glimpse into both His first and second advent.
The Big Question
For the last two thousand years, we have the advantage of living in the light of Jesus’ first advent. We have the historical record of His life, death and resurrection. We understand from scripture that Jesus is the only way to God the Father. We live in the reality of His first coming and the truth that we can be saved by the person and work of Christ. We also live in the light of the promise of His second advent. This is hope that we hold onto to know that Jesus will one day return to set up His kingdom upon this earth. How does the reality of Christ’s first advent and the promise of His second advent encourage you today? What does this passage reveal to you about God? Who do you need to pray for/reach out to with the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God revealed to you today.