Zechariah 9:9 Commentary and Bible Study

Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on an ass’s colt is referred to in all four Gospels, and two of them quote this passage in Zechariah. This prophecy stands against the backdrop of titanic shifts in the fortunes of nations around Judah, and her smallness on the international scale at that time is set against the power of Greece that was set on dominating the entire known world. But none of this matters; God’s plan is still on track, and Zion’s King will come to her without fail, to accomplish all the wonderful things that prophecy has said he is going to accomplish. This prophecy appears to come out of the blue, but the Lord knows what really matters and what will lift the hearts of his people amidst all the difficult things they have to bear. But how different he will be to the proud and violent rulers of the world: men like Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander the Great. He does not come with earthly pomp and show, but with meekness and humility. Though he is the greatest of all – the King of kings, and Lord of lords, the King of heaven – he does not bring the majesty of heaven visibly with him. He is content to lay aside his glory and come in a form that makes him unthreatening to the lowly, to the poor in spirit. He has come to endure humiliation, to be the representative of all, from the very meanest and lowest, to the richest and most ennobled. These can take great comfort from the way he comes. He has not come to take something from them, but to give himself to them. The rulers of earth are so often corrupt, ready to manipulate the system to their own advantage, willing to cut corners and bend justice in their favour. Christ comes choosing to ride on a creature that symbolises the lowliness of his approach. He comes as a servant. He come not to court the praise of men, but with a hidden glory that can only be seen with the eye of faith.Furthermore, he comes from outside of them. This is a strange thing by any account. Usually the only king to come from outside was one who came as a conqueror. This could only be the Messiah. Christ comes from the Father to gather a people for himself and return with them to glory. He has salvation to give to all who receive him as their King, who submit to his rule in their hearts.