August 21, 2004

THE LOWLY KING

"Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey' " (Matthew 21:5, NKJV).

The title, "The Lowly King," is somewhat paradoxical. Humility and meekness are never associated with earthly royalty. The kings of this earth display royal splendor, pomp and circumstance, majesty and might. These are the trappings of royalty. Not so with the King of grace. His true power is in meekness. At His triumphant entry in Jerusalem, just days before His crucifixion, Jesus made His entry meekly on a donkey. This was the first time He had publicly appeared as a rightful king. At this point, He was making His appearance as king of the spiritual kingdom of grace (see Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 5:2).

This royal episode was the turning point in Christ's earthly mission that would eventually lead to the cross. Following the ancient custom of paying homage to royalty, the people spread their garments on the royal route. They waved olive and palm branches. As the admiring multitude engaged in this practice, they shouted in jubilation, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9, NKJV). This was a fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy (see Zechariah 9:9). But despite the expectations of the cheering crowds, this royal entry was Christ's route to the cross. In seeming defeat, wearing a crown of thorns on a bloodied brow, the meek and lowly King died as a mighty conqueror. "Jesus, our Redeemer, walked the earth with the dignity of a king; yet He was meek and lowly of heart."--The Adventist Home, p. 156.

My Prayer Today: Lord, as the "Lowly King," You have taught me how to be a conqueror. Amen.