December 7th

Daily Reading

Psalm 2:6

For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”

Matthew 27:37

A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.

Mark 11:7-11

Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God!
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
    Praise God in highest heaven!”

So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

(Readings taken from Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/ New Living Translation)

A Better King

If you are familiar with the Old Testament, you would know that the Israelite people had a tumultuous experience with kings. Decade after decade the kings appointed to bring rule and reign to the Jews were corrupt, self-indulgent, and evil.

The Jewish kings are ultimately responsible for the demise of Jerusalem and the Israelite people. It is a story marked by tragedy, suffering, and oppression under Babylonian rule. It is a story that points to the insufficiency of men to maintain authority over men. Humans are innately flawed, as we have learned. Their flaws colour their ability to govern with justice, mercy, fairness, and consistency.  

The kingdoms of our time are disappointingly similar. Corruption. Self-indulgent governments. Evil practices. In our own systems, we see failures of leadership. We long for a better King. A better Kingdom.

A Kingdom in which injustice is balanced.

Equity is restored.

Oppression ends.

Mercy rules.

The promise of a coming Messiah was the hope of the Israelite people. This Jewish remnant quietly and expectantly clung to his anticipated arrival. One who would come and enact his justice; judging and prosecuting the Romans for their relentlessly cruel and crushing rule. They expected a king, riding on a horse, sword in hand. Come to establish God’s Kingdom over the Nations.

And a King they got.

King Jesus.

But King Jesus comes in the most unexpected of ways. Laying down his power and authority to make himself humble.

Serving instead of sentencing.

Healing instead of hurting.

He is a new King. His is a new Kingdom. The King we needed. For He is divine!

He is righteous, and royal and His rule will never end.