#DailyDevotion Look! Jesus Your King Has Come!
Matthew 21:1–5
When they came near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage and the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples. 2“Go into the village ahead of you,” He told them, “and right away you’ll find a donkey tied up and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3If anyone says anything to you, say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and immediately he will send them.” 4This happened so that what was said through the prophet would come true: 5“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Look! Your King is coming to you, gentle, riding on a donkey, even on a colt of a donkey.’ “
So perhaps we should start off with the prophecy Matthew references, Zechariah chapter 9: 9Be very happy, people of Zion! Shout aloud, people of Jerusalem. You see, your King will come to you, He is righteous and victorious, poor, and riding on a donkey, on a young burro, the colt of a donkey. 10He will get rid of the chariots in Ephraim and the war horses in Jerusalem; He will also get rid of the bow used in battle. He will talk peace to the nations, and He will rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates river to the end of the world. 11As for you also, because you have a covenant made with blood, I’ll send your captives out of the waterless pit.
Well we certainly see Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the donkey and the colt of a donkey. The people are certainly shouting for joy. What is left to be seen is the victory that is spoken of, the war chariots being gotten rid of and his rule. Yet Jesus was victorious for us over temptation. In a few short days from this scripture he will defeat Satan and death. Then he will ascend to the right hand of the Father from whence he is currently ruling all creation until his return. At that time there will be no longer war or rumors of war.
Now though, through the Church Jesus does talk peace to the nations. He has removed their sins which used to separate them from their Creator and offers to them sonship to God the Father through baptism and faith in him. He promises his crucifixion has reconciled them to God. Once they were separated from God but now the door of heaven is open to them. This is good news for you because you are part of those nations he is talking peace with. It’s a simple offer of peace. Believe in Jesus and let him be your king and you can have eternal piece with God. Of course if you reject his offer of peace then judgment is your lot for eternity.
As for the Jews, they had made a covenant of blood with God. They offered the Son of God as a sacrifice telling Pilate, “his blood be on us and our children!” That blood is the atoning sacfrice for their sins. It is their ransom from death. His blood rescues from pit of Sheol or Hades or the place of the dead. The future resurrection is predicted here. Now this is not just for the Jews, though it was at their hands. It is for everyone especially for you.
So this is cause for rejoicing. We can rejoice with the pilgrims going to Jerusalem as Jesus enters crying, “Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!” Yes, Jesus has saved us in the highest heavens. Thanks be to God.
Heavenly Father, place the words of hosanna in our mouths we look to Jesus in faith for our salvation and peace in your presence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.