“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 9:9
This pandemic has brought sickness, death, isolation, fear, and anxiety. Jesus came to a troubled people, Israel. They were oppressed, longing for the promised Messiah who would reign over them. He taught them like no other rabbi. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, fed multitudes, calmed the sea and wind, and He died for them.
He knew the cross awaited Him as He entered Jerusalem. It was time.
The long-awaited Messiah is coming down the Mount of Olives. He’s coming as Israel’s king.
People line the street and spread out their outer garments on the path where the donkey will step. Others cut off palm branches and lay them in the path.
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9
Jesus accepts the people’s praise now, for this is the day that the Lord has made, Psalm 118:24, and there is great rejoicing from the people. Even if the people would not cry out, the rocks would praise and honor Him as King, Luke 19:40.
5 Reasons to Rejoice
- Jesus comes to us.
God sent Jesus into the world as a man. He came to serve, to heal, to raise the dead, to take on the sins of the world, to die on the cross, and to triumph over death on the third day. Jesus comes to us.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 - Jesus is righteous.
Jesus is just and dispenses justice. There is no one like Jesus, for He is perfect in all His ways. He is holy and pure. He reigns perfectly and righteously.
“The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.” Psalm 145:17 - Jesus possesses salvation.
Men and women cannot save themselves from the tyranny of sin. Only Jesus can save them, for He holds salvation in His hands and offers it to anyone who will receive the gift and open it.
“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 - Jesus is humble.
Jesus came to us trusting in God’s goodness and control of every situation, even to the point of death on the cross. He came focused upon bringing you and me salvation and glorifying God in all His words and actions.
Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7
” For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 - Jesus comes in peace, signified by riding on the foal of a donkey.
Jesus came to bring peace between God and men and women. Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, so that our relationship with God could be reconciled, so that we could be at peace with God – forever.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27
As you consider Palm Sunday, the beginning of the last week of Jesus’ life, ask God to reveal to you the true nature of our Messiah, our King.
Behold, My King!
My Prayer
Father, Your lovingkindness is overwhelming. You created the universe and all that is in it, and You chose to send Your only begotten Son into the world as a man to bring salvation and peace to Your rebellious children. Your lovingkindness leads us to repentance. We are undone! We rejoice in Your goodness and mercy. As the world reels from the pandemic and from everything that follows, we trust in You. You are in control. Bring revival to Your people, and an awakening to those who do not know You. We rejoice in Your goodness and ask that You reveal Jesus as King. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Amen.
Related Links
Your Sorrow Will Turn to Joy, A Holy Week Devotional
8 Things Most Christians Don’t Know About Jesus’ Triumphal Entry
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