Born King of the Jews

James Tissot Brooklyn Museum

Today's Readings: Matthew 2:1, 2, Zechariah 9:9, Matt 21:1-11, and more

In Matthew 2:1, 2, the Wise Men from the East came into Jerusalem to ask: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" This was troubling to Herod and his power structure in Jerusalem. What was to become of this baby born King of the Jews? The prophet Zechariah of old speaks of the Coming of Israel's King:

James Tissot Brooklyn Museum

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zech 9:9

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy the day He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey; which is the symbol of humility and is completely unlike the impressive power of a horse. Jesus was lowly, "a humility that is considerate, gentle, mild, meek. The Zealots were looking for a warlike Messiah who would use force. Jesus showed greater power than armed might, the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control". (From word wealth in the New Spirit Filled Bible)

Oh, the humble wisdom of Jesus! How may we be more like Him? Praise God that through the Holy Spirit, as we behold Jesus, He transforms us glory by glory into His image.

Toward the end of Jesus' humble life on this earth He did approached Jerusalem on a donkey and fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy. As he descended the Mount of Olives, the crowds who were hopeful of political salvation from Roman oppression cried out saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" Matt. 21:9

During this joyous celebration, Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him in the coming week and what would happen to Jerusalem in the coming years.

In Luke 19 it says:

"He saw the city and wept over it, saying, 

If you had known, even you, especially in this your day,the things that make for your peace! 

But now they are hidden from your eyes... because you did not know the times of your visitation." Luke 19:42,44

Jesus knew the people would miss their Messiah. He knew the Jews would miss the coming of their King. During the course of the week, Jesus ended up on the following Friday in Pilate's Court. Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Pilate soon after condemned Jesus to execution on the cross. He ordered that a sign should be put on the cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" John 18:33, 19:19 This most likely was not Pilate's recognition of Jesus as king so much as to irritate the Jewish leaders, since Nazareth was looked down upon as an insignificant little village. The thought was, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Certainly not the grand Messiah they had imagined!

Jesus did not become a King in His earthly life. Were the Wise Men wrong about this baby being a great King? Perhaps what Jesus said in reply to Pilate gives us a clue. "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36 This king was not to come into an earthly kingdom in His first coming to earth, His first Advent. Perhaps they somehow knew as one of the Magi's gifts was Myrrh, a spice used in burial. Did they offer it to him to honor His sacrifice? This week we will look at Jesus in His Kingdom right now and we'll look at prophecy foretelling His Second Coming, His Second Advent.

How can this bring us comfort today in our time? We must keep our eyes on Jesus, especially during the concerns of the big political changes happening in our world today. We do not want to miss what He is doing in His Kingdom, His visitation as He moves among us, while being distracted by the kingdoms of men. The verse at the very center of the Bible is timely for us today.

"It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes."
Psalm 118:8

Praise God our King is coming again!!! This time He will come on a white horse in great power and authority with the armies of heaven on white horses! And He will establish His Kingdom!

"On His Robe and on His thigh a name is written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS".
Rev.19:16

He will be the most excellent KING of all kings to ever rule the earth in all of time. And He will be LORD, supreme in authority over every king.

He will be KING of the entire Universe!

"Hosanna in the highest!"

All the while I was typing the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS the Hallelujah Chorus was shouting praise to God in my mind. Be Blessed by His amazing word today!