Read: Matthew 21:1-11
Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey.” (v. 5)
Have you ever heard someone say, “I wish the church would stay out of politics.” That’s not an unjustified complaint. Throughout his ministry, Jesus did just that, keeping his identity a public secret and strictly “apolitical.” Until the end.
People thought of kings as conquerors, and conquerors ride war horses. But God’s prophet, Zechariah, had foretold the people of a day when God would bring them peace, when he himself would be their king and come to them “mounted on a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). As Jesus made his final visit to Jerusalem, he made an unequivocal political statement based on who he claimed to be. And that statement was, in effect, “I am your king—the one foretold. I come on the back of this donkey, in gentleness, bringing peace, fulfilling God’s word.”
The sinful nature of human kings and political leaders will always disappoint. Today, many countries limit the power of human rulers. Jesus came claiming he was the true king—the one who gives, enacts, and interprets the law of God. Do you believe what Jesus claimed about himself? Is he the true king of your life, with all the power a king possesses yet trusted because he comes to you with gentleness and humility—mounted on a donkey?
As you pray, ask God’s Spirit to examine your life for evidence of his rule. In the choices you make, are you choosing, under the authority of God, a God whose rule you can trust? Follow his guidance to do this fully.
Fred Van Dyke is a conservation biologist dedicated to the care for God’s creation. In this role Fred has served government agencies, private consulting firms, and academic institutions doing research, management, and teaching in conservation science. He is also the author of two books on faith and environmental stewardship.
