All four of the Gospels relate the story of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which we recognize on Palm Sunday. Zechariah 9:9 predicted this event 500 years before it took place.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9.9)
Social media often showcases stories of the rich, famous, and powerful flaunting their wealth and power for all to see.
In stark contrast to these figures, the King of all kings chose to make his entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, rather than on a war horse or amidst the grandeur and spectacle of a mighty army. This act was one of simple and humble obedience to the Father, setting him apart from the displays commonly associated with earthly power and influence.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, a hopeful crowd welcomed him as the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy, while the rich and powerful viewed him as a threat.
This poses a crucial question for us: Where does our allegiance lie today? Are we pledging it to the humble King of all kings, or are we dividing it among earthly leaders who impress us with their strength and power?
Choosing Correctly
Today’s world is filled with challenges that readily command our attention. Conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and other regions may lead us to seek political solutions we deeply desire.
Similarly, the electoral cycle in America, with its myriad of issues, along with economic concerns and the rising cost of living, can also monopolize our focus.
The critical question we face is how to prevent these distractions from swaying our loyalty to Christ, drawing us into matters that, in the grand scheme of God’s plan for us, hold lesser importance.
In a lecture by Tom Wright on the Kingdom of God’s relevance to global matters, he mentioned the peculiar behavior of certain ants. These ants, once they stray from their colony, start moving in circles. Observing this, other ants join in, leading to a chain of ants circling endlessly until they die.
Wright contrasts this aimless wandering with the use of GPS for navigation. To travel from one point to another efficiently, relying on a circling ant is futile; instead, using a GPS is best.
Spending daily time with God serves as our spiritual GPS, guiding us effectively if we’re willing to embrace His direction.
Set Free
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross and I agree that we are abundantly grateful for God’s grace, which set us free from where we could have been had we followed our own self-centered direction.
He took us from what Zachariah calls “the waterless pit” and put us on the solid rock.
As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. (Zechariah 9.11)
People often ask me where I think I would be had I not met the Lord and been set free from the prison of my self-centered desires. I jokingly say I would probably be a good golfer with a lot of money, on my third marriage, and totally lost.
Thank God that’s not the story. I don’t play golf anymore and don’t have a whole lot of money.
I’ve been married for 45 years to my wife Toni and have had the best life possible. That’s what the grace of God does in a person’s life when He sets them free by His grace.
Many people share a similar story. The details may be quite different, but the basic facts are true.
God’s grace sets us free to live the life we’ve always wanted and the one He has for us. Praise God!
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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