December 8th

Daily Reading

Zechariah 11:12

And I said to them, “If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.” So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.”

Matthew 21:4-5

This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

“Tell the people of Jerusalem,
    ‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
    riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

Psalm 8:2

You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.

Matthew 21:16

They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”

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

Let them come!

The connection between todays prophecies may seem vague at best. King Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. He welcomes, even teaches, children.

Yesterday we pondered King Jesus, a better King. Today I am again struck by the nature of this King who ushers in a heavenly Kingdom.

He is humble.

Gentle.

Counter-cultural.

King Jesus turns the expected upside down and heralds a different way. A way that gives place and value to the most defenseless in our communities. Could there be a better example than a King who is willing to sit with children? A King who humbles himself to engage with the powerless. Consider the standing of children in a culture like ancient Israel. Children, not dissimilar to children in our own culture, were vulnerable. Powerless. Meek.

We read stories in the Gospels of interactions between children and the disciples, a clue to us that children were dismissed as irrelevant, inconvenient, invisible.

Yet this King announces blessings for the helpless:

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth.”

Perhaps it is no revelation to us that children develop into adults who inherit the rules and responsibilities of the world in which they live. In Jesus, we see a God who engages with children, inviting them to imagine a new future. A future in which the poor are empowered. The hungry are fed. Widows are seen. Women included. A sword is substituted. The war horse is exchanged for a humble donkey.

If the meek inherit the earth – what kind of world are they likely to shape?

His Kingdom is utterly and undeniably unexpected.

And it still is today!