The Risen King

Zechariah 14 Easter is a pivotal day in history. It is arguably the most significant day of the Christian calendar. We hear that and believe it, but I’m convinced most of us don’t really understand it. That’s not to say we don’t value the resurrection. We think of the resurrection as God’s victory over death, which it certainly shows. We think of the resurrection as foreshadowing of our own, which it certainly is. But the resurrection was an event far greater in scope and purpose than just this, and this chapter in Zecharaiah helps us put that in perspective. For God’s people were in despair. God had done to bring about his great purpose: “I will be your God and you will be my people,” but to no avail. They were still not there. God had shown them that no amount of human effort; not through mighty or wise kings; could this happen. It would take God himself. That’s what the prophets prepare his people to look for. How would they know when he came? Zechariah prophesies that he would come humbly, riding on a donkey. When Jesus did this on Palm Sunday, the people cheered. But their hopes were soon dashed as Jesus was arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified. Zechariah shows us that this is not the end of the story. Yes, he came in humility on the donkey, and so, in a way, we should not be surprised by his humiliation on the cross. But Zechariah goes on to show something powerful in this chapter. God would not only come humbly. He will also come with great power, and his resurrection was the announcement to the world and the cosmic universe that it was time. How do we see the power of the king?