This Sunday many of us will be waving palms, heralding the entry of our King.

Yet in Zechariah 9:9-12 we read prophesy that is very counter to an “entry of the King” from Roman times.

Zechariah 9:9-10
9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

9:10 He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.

In The Rising: Living the Mysteries of Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, Wendy M. Wright writes:

“But we do not get the leader we have anticipated. For instead of entering the holy city on a warhorse, this Jesus comes deliberately on an ass’s colt, thereby calling up our collective memory of the prophesy in Zechariah which paints for us a picture of a monarch who bans implements of war, whose rule is gentle and whose reign is peace.” p. 77

ACTION: As we raise our Hosannas and wave the palms, may we embody a powerful stance of gentleness and peace!

Enjoy the day, filled with peace and actions of the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, April 9, 2017: