Zechariah 9:9 (ESV) – 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.

“The king is coming!” Throughout ancient history, this would have been a cry many made in different countries as their kings and armies came marching back towards home. Kings would lead armies out on campaigns for months, even years. The sight of the armies returning would lead people to gather at the gates in triumphal procession as the king returned. 

Our passage today highlights a snapshot of a prophecy about the coming king, the Messiah, and points to His role as Savior. We read the prophet say, “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.”

People during the time of this prophecy, and afterward, may not have understood the significance of it at the time. The cry of the prophet was that Israel’s king was coming. He would come bringing salvation, but He would come in humility. The sign of that humility would be His entrance on a donkey. He wasn’t coming with armies, chariots, or great horses. His coming would be lowly. 

How did early readers of this prophecy understand it? Did they expect this kind of king? The prophecy was not pointing readers to a military conqueror, but to a sin-atoning Redeemer. This passage captures the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem during the week of His passion. Jesus entered Jerusalem, prepared to die for sinners, riding a donkey. He fulfilled the prophecy as the true King coming to save His people. No armies. No chariots. Just humility and resolve to fulfill His mission. 

Today we still await the return of the King. He came in gentleness and lowliness the first time. The next time will be in might. His power will be seen and feared (Revelation 19). The prophecy of the King’s coming is a signpost God provided people in the world about the Savior’s coming into the world. He told them about the Messiah’s coming, and what to expect. Yet people missed it or rejected it.

Give thanks today if you have
put your faith in Jesus.
This is because your Father in Heaven
has revealed this to you,
not flesh and blood.
Rejoice in this gift and the King’s salvation.

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Reflection & Journal: 
- Why are passages like this so important in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah?
- What makes Jesus different from most earthly kings throughout history?
- How should we be prepared for the King’s return today?

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