The coming King
Zachariah 9:9-10
By Ysrael De la Cruz
Last week I preached about the crucial question, who is Jesus? Jesus’ identity has puzzled people for thousands of years. When he appeared on the scene the Jewish nation had been waiting for a Messiah, (a political ruler or king) who would bring peace and justice by freeing them from the Roman oppression. When John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching that God’s kingdom was near, the religious people asked him if he was the Messiah. (John 1:19) “Who are you?” John said he wasn’t the Christ nor Elijah. He was just a voice shouting in the desert preparing the way for the Lord. John said someone greater than him was coming. Who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.(Matt.3:11)
Then Jesus appeared preaching repentance for the kingdom of God was at hand; he went around teaching, healing, casting out demons and many people followed him.
Again, the religious people wanted to know if he was the expected Messiah. Jesus’ identity confused many. How do we know that Jesus was the Messiah and not an impostor?
The Jews were expecting a Messiah because God promised them one. A Redeemer would come from Zion (Isaiah 59:20)
Isaiah 9:6-7 (A Son is born to us; he will reign on David’s throne and his rule will never end.)
Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
This is the prophecy that announced how the Messiah would be known. this is how he would make his entrance into the city of Jerusalem.
The king was announced to come with justice and salvation; a humble king mounted on a donkey. This was prophesied five hundred years before Jesus.
Jesus fulfilled this prophesy a week before he was crucified; this was the time he introduced himself to the world as the expected Messiah King.
The writers of the gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) tell us about this incident in the life of Jesus. The Bible calls it, the Triumphant Entry (we know it as Palm Sunday)
Matt.21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-40
John 12:12-16

Jesus intentionally prepared this moment. This was the only time in his ministry that he allowed the crowd to welcome him as king. All the gospel writers agreed that Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9
John 12:13-15 (ESV)
12The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15“Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
Hosanna (save us now we pray) Blessed is the king of Israel.
The crowd hailed Jesus as king by whom they would be saved. The crowd misunderstood the kind of mission Jesus came to accomplish. They wanted political salvation from Roman dominion.
Jesus came riding on a donkey; he was the humble king who entered the city of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. He came on a mission of peace, they missed the imagery of the donkey, kings would not ride on donkeys unless their mission was peace.
Zechariah 9:10 speaks about the Messiah bringing peace to the nations and his kingdom will never end.
Jesus is the King of kings, the one who will rule with peace and justice. He is known as the Prince of peace. So many people are seeking peace and only in a relationship with Jesus can they find true peace.
Jesus came the first time to inaugurate the kingdom of God; letting everyone know that every person is welcome to be part of his kingdom. All that people must do is to believe in him as their Lord and Savior. Next time Jesus comes, he will establish his never-ending dominion as King of kings and Lord of lords. Those who believe in him will reign with him.