The Promised King

          Zechariah 9:9 speaks to the idea of humility and righteousness, and the importance of recognizing and embracing these qualities in leaders. In today's world, it can be easy to get caught up in the glamour and hype of charismatic leaders who present themselves as all-powerful and infallible. But the message of Zechariah 9:9 reminds us that true leadership is not about ego or grandstanding, but about serving others with humility and compassion. This passage is discussing a prophecy in the book of Zechariah. The prophecy involves the coming of a messianic King, or savior, who will be righteous, humble, and able to bring peace to all nations. The text also compares the pride of secular kings with the humility of the messianic King, and discusses the various characteristics and accomplishments of the coming Messiah. The reference to the humble and mounted on "a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" suggests that this king will come in a manner that is humble and unassuming, rather than with power and grandeur.
          The passage also mentions the importance of the Hebrew term "righteous" and its various meanings and connotations, particularly in relation to the coming Messiah. The Hebrew term for "righteous" in this text is "saddiq," which in its most basic sense, refers to conformity to an established standard, such as honest business practices. Theologically, it reflects moral standards that are based on the character of God himself and is opposed to the concept of "evil." It can also describe the godliness and truth that will characterize the coming eschatological kingdom, or the end times. In an eschatological sense, it can also describe salvation. The term is also used to describe the Lord's hope for his people as a whole, and it is intended to flood over the faithful like a rushing torrent.
          One of the most significant interpretations of Zechariah 9:9 is that it is a prophesy of the coming of Jesus Christ. Many Christian scholars see the reference to the king as a reference to Jesus, who is depicted in the Gospels as riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. This event is known as the Triumphal Entry and is seen as a key moment in the ministry of Jesus. In the Gospels, Jesus is depicted as entering Jerusalem in a humble and unassuming manner, riding on a donkey rather than a horse, which was the traditional mode of transportation for a king or military leader. This was seen as a fulfillment of the prophesy in Zechariah 9:9, as Jesus came as a humble and peaceful leader, rather than a warrior or conqueror.
          But the Messiah's mission goes beyond just being a humble and righteous King. He will bring victory and salvation to his people, and will establish peace among the nations. This peace will be a result of the Messiah's righteousness, as he brings justice and righteousness to the world. This peace will extend beyond just the people of Judah, but to all the nations. The Lord promises to bring peace to all the nations, and the Messiah will be instrumental in fulfilling this promise.

          As we approach Christmas, let us be reminded that Jesus could have come in power and granduer, but instead chose to come into the world humble and unassuming. The promised Messiah came to show that true leadership is not about looking powerful and smart, but true leadership is about being humble and compassionate.