Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Luke19:28-40

As Jesus entered Jerusalem just days before His death, He did so in a way that prophetically declared that He was the Messiah, God’s true Anointed King of the Jews. But He did so in a spirit they had never expected.

Make no mistake, this was an incredibly courageous thing to do. There was already a price on Jesus’ head among the Jewish authorities and yet, instead of slinking in undetected, Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem in a very public and dramatic way – a way that was an unmistakable claim to be the king because it deliberately fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Jesus was fulfilling God’s will, despite the dangers. Take a moment to consider where you might need to display courage today in order to fulfill God’s will for you …

It was also a prophetic statement about the kind of king Jesus was. In Judea, the donkey was a noble animal. It was not uncommon for a king to ride on one. In fact, Jewish kings only rode on a horse when going into battle. When they came in peace they came on a donkey. By this action, Jesus prophetically declared that despite His great power and authority (which He had so recently demonstrated by raising Lazarus from the dead) He came as a king of humility, love and peace, and not as the conquering military hero whom the mob expected and eagerly longed for. Take a moment to consider a relationship where you hold the greater power (perhaps in your family, an organization or workplace). How might you display humility and love in that relationship today?

Lord Jesus, use me as a witness to your courageous, humble, loving rule and reign today. Amen.