The King on a Donkey
The Story
Five hundred years before Christ, Zechariah paints a portrait of the coming King, and it is a study in paradox. He is “righteous and having salvation,” a victorious deliverer; and he is “humble,” riding not the warhorse of a conquering general but a donkey, the mount of peace. Kings rode horses to war and donkeys in peacetime; Zechariah's King comes not to wage war on his people but to bring them peace. The next verse says he will “speak peace to the nations,” his rule reaching “to the ends of the earth.” A King, then — but a gentle one, whose weapon is his own lowliness.
What It Calls Us To
We want a King, but usually a different kind — one who will impose our agenda and crush our enemies on our terms. Zechariah's King unsettles those expectations: he comes humble, bringing a peace we did not negotiate. The verse calls us to “rejoice greatly” — to welcome a Savior who arrives in lowliness, and to stop holding out for a more impressive one.
How Jesus Fulfills It
On the Sunday before his death, Jesus deliberately stages this prophecy. He sends for a donkey, mounts it, and rides into Jerusalem while the crowds spread their cloaks and cry “Hosanna!” Matthew quotes Zechariah and tells us plainly: “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet” (Matthew 21:4–5). The King came exactly as promised — righteous, bringing salvation, and humble — and within the week the same crowds would watch him crowned with thorns and enthroned on a cross. That is how this King wins his peace: not by shedding his enemies' blood but by giving his own. He is still coming to us the same way, humble and bringing salvation; the only question is whether we will spread our cloaks and welcome him.
Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.