Lowly, Riding Upon an Ass
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”Zechariah 9:9 (KJV)
Five hundred years before Jesus rode into Jerusalem, Zechariah told the city to get ready. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
Kings usually arrived on warhorses. This King would come on a borrowed donkey. Just and saving, but lowly.
On the day we now call Palm Sunday, it happened just as written. Matthew tells us: “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” The crowds threw down their garments and branches and shouted Hosanna.
This week we follow the King from that road to the cross and the empty tomb. He came lowly on purpose. He still comes that way, gently, to anyone who will open the gate and let him in.
Read it yourself
Read Matthew 21:1–11. What did the crowds cry out, and what did the city ask?
Where do you need the lowly King to ride into your life this week?
Hosanna, Lord Jesus. You came lowly, having salvation. Come into my heart this week as my King. Amen.