A Different Kind of King

Gentle
Zechariah 7:1-9:17

"Rejoice greatly, people of Jerusalem! Shout for joy, people of Jerusalem! Your king is coming to you. He does what is right, and he saves. He is gentle and riding on a donkey, on the colt of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the horses from Jerusalem. The bows used in war will be broken. The king will talk to the nations about peace." (Zechariah 9:9-10)

Gentle is probably one of the last things we think of when we think of the word "king." Or I guess today we would think of world leaders, prime ministers or presidents, since kings have gone out of fashion. None of those seem to work well with the descriptor "gentle." Actually, it's not a term that you would use to describe anyone in a position of authority really. Yet, God presents to us a new kind of king with such authority that His position isn't questioned by a gentle character. Most times presidents or principles even coaches feel the need to seem tough in order to keep "the troops" in line. Jesus already has all authority of heaven and earth. There is no power struggle... and no struggle necessary at all. This king will break the weapons of war and have the confidence to preach peace. Lord, I pray for that kind of a world... only made possible as we follow this new king.

Great
Psalm 148:7-14

"Praise the Lord, because he alone is great. He is more wonderful than heaven and earth." (Psalm 148:13)

This verse may seem to contradict our previous verse about the wonder and splendor of the animals and creation. Yet, we need only to recognize that the heaven and earth are wonderful and praise-worthy only for the fact that our Lord God has created them. All of the greatness inherent in nature, in anything really, has come from the Lord. This kind of a king is worthy of ALL praise... nothing else. Our Lord God is one... one great king for one kingdom, which we all await.

Just
Revelation 18:1-24

"Then I heard another voice from heaven saying: 'Come out of that city, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive the disasters that will come to her." (Revelation 18:4)

This king is also just... wanting only to punish those who really merit the correction. As a teacher, we always need to be careful to correct those who need it. Don't reprimand the class who is there about mid-semester attendance. Instead, send emails to those who weren't in class. But, God is wise and just and knows each one of us and our sins. Even more, now that Jesus died for our sins, our punishment was already taken care of by our merciful and gracious new king. Oh King of Creation and King of my heart...