The Donkey and God's Faithfulness
John 12:14–15
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
Thought:
Jesus did not choose a war horse. He chose a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had said about 500 years earlier. By riding that donkey, Jesus was clearly saying, “I am the promised King, the Messiah.”
This shows us two big truths.
First, God is faithful to His Word. Zechariah 9:9 promised a humble King on a donkey. Centuries passed, but God did not forget. In Jesus, that promise came true exactly how God had told it. When we see that, we learn that God never leaves a single promise unfinished. Every word about Christ’s first coming was fulfilled. When we see that His word can be trusted about how He would come to the earth, then we can trust that every word about His return and our final salvation will also be fulfilled.
Second, Jesus is a gentle and humble King. World conquerors ride proud and powerful animals and bring war. Jesus rides a lowly animal and brings peace with God through His blood. He does not come to crush sinners who come to Him. He comes to carry their sins to the cross and give them peace with God.
The donkey reminds us that God keeps His promises and that His Son is a different kind of King. He is mighty enough to save, but humble enough to suffer. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
When your faith feels weak, remember the donkey. God does not forget what He has spoken. He did not forget Zechariah. He will not forget you if you belong to Christ.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming as the humble King on a donkey, just as God promised. Thank You that every prophecy about You shows that the Father always keeps His Word. Help me to trust that You are both powerful and gentle, both King and Savior. When I doubt, remind me of Your faithfulness and that You will finish what You have started in me. In Jesus name, amen.
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
Thought:
Jesus did not choose a war horse. He chose a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had said about 500 years earlier. By riding that donkey, Jesus was clearly saying, “I am the promised King, the Messiah.”
This shows us two big truths.
First, God is faithful to His Word. Zechariah 9:9 promised a humble King on a donkey. Centuries passed, but God did not forget. In Jesus, that promise came true exactly how God had told it. When we see that, we learn that God never leaves a single promise unfinished. Every word about Christ’s first coming was fulfilled. When we see that His word can be trusted about how He would come to the earth, then we can trust that every word about His return and our final salvation will also be fulfilled.
Second, Jesus is a gentle and humble King. World conquerors ride proud and powerful animals and bring war. Jesus rides a lowly animal and brings peace with God through His blood. He does not come to crush sinners who come to Him. He comes to carry their sins to the cross and give them peace with God.
The donkey reminds us that God keeps His promises and that His Son is a different kind of King. He is mighty enough to save, but humble enough to suffer. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
When your faith feels weak, remember the donkey. God does not forget what He has spoken. He did not forget Zechariah. He will not forget you if you belong to Christ.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming as the humble King on a donkey, just as God promised. Thank You that every prophecy about You shows that the Father always keeps His Word. Help me to trust that You are both powerful and gentle, both King and Savior. When I doubt, remind me of Your faithfulness and that You will finish what You have started in me. In Jesus name, amen.
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