The King Is Coming
A Call to Prepare
The Messiah in Zechariah
Rejoice, Your King Comes to You
The Reign of Christ - Past, Present, and Future
Zechariah’s Vision - The Servant and the Sovereign King
Introduction
The book of Zechariah is a masterpiece of prophetic vision, offering profound insights into the coming of the Messiah. It reveals a Savior who comes both as a suffering servant and as a triumphant King. Zechariah’s prophecy declares the Messiah’s dual mission: to rescue His people from sin and to reign as King, establishing a Kingdom of peace, justice, and righteousness. This dual reality—Christ’s first coming in humility and His second coming in glory—calls us to respond with faith, repentance, and readiness.
The Messiah’s Mission: Humble and Victorious
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
— Zechariah 9:9
Zechariah 9:9 beautifully captures the dual nature of the Messiah’s mission, combining humility with victory. Matthew Henry observes, “This prophecy, so exactly fulfilled, reminds us of Christ’s perfect humility and divine authority. He is both meek and mighty, a King who serves yet reigns.” The choice of a donkey instead of a warhorse disrupts conventional notions of power and kingship. In ancient times, rulers entering cities on horses signified conquest, while riding a donkey symbolized peace and servanthood. By riding a colt, Jesus demonstrated that His Kingdom was unlike any earthly kingdom, rooted in love and humility.
Charles Spurgeon calls this prophecy “the keynote of gospel joy,” pointing to Christ’s intentional humility as a profound expression of His peaceable reign and His approachability. His righteousness confirms His worthiness to rule, while His meekness endears Him to our hearts.
Eugene Peterson reflects, “God’s way of ruling defies the world’s expectations of power and domination.” In this single act, Christ redefined the meaning of true power—not through force but through self-sacrificial love. His triumphal entry invites us to rethink authority, leadership, and victory in light of the cross.
This King, righteous yet lowly, mighty yet gentle, beckons us to rejoice in the hope He brings. His entry into Jerusalem is not just a historical moment but a living call to place our trust in a Savior who reigns with grace and truth. As we celebrate His peaceable rule, let us embrace the joy of being part of His eternal Kingdom.
The Messiah’s Suffering and Victory
“They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.”
— Zechariah 12:10
Zechariah 12:10 is a profound prophecy pointing directly to Christ’s crucifixion, where He bore the sins of humanity. The phrase “pierced One” reminds us of the deep cost of our salvation—a sacrifice that reconciles us to God. N.T. Wright reflects, “Zechariah’s vision of the pierced One shows the paradox of the Messiah—His suffering brings salvation; His death brings victory.” At the cross, justice and mercy meet as Christ willingly takes upon Himself the punishment we deserved.
Alexander Maclaren emphasizes the transformative power of mourning over the pierced Savior: “Our mourning over the pierced One leads us to repentance, which opens the door to His Kingdom.” This godly sorrow is not despair but a grief that compels us to turn from sin and embrace the grace of Christ.
The victory of the cross lies in the truth that through His wounds, we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). His suffering was not an end but the means through which the Kingdom of God was inaugurated. As Henri Nouwen writes, “The pierced heart of Jesus is the clearest expression of divine love.”
This prophecy invites us to respond in two ways: with repentance, as we recognize our role in His suffering, and with hope, as we rejoice in the victory His death accomplished. Christ’s pierced body speaks of both the weight of sin and the glory of redemption, leading us to worship a Savior who triumphs through sacrifice.
The King’s Return: Triumphant and Just
“The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.”
— Zechariah 14:9
Zechariah 14:9 captures the glorious promise of Christ’s ultimate reign, where His Kingdom will extend over the entire earth, unifying all under His sovereign authority. This prophecy reminds us that history is moving toward a climactic fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. John Calvin observed, “God’s rule is not partial but universal. The vision of one Lord over all reminds us of the unity and peace His Kingdom will bring.” Christ’s return will establish a Kingdom of righteousness, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
Walter Brueggemann calls this a vision of a “new world order” under God’s perfect justice, where oppression, division, and sin will no longer reign. Derek Kidner highlights the cosmic scale of this transformation: “Christ’s reign will restore harmony not just among nations but throughout creation itself.” This is a Kingdom where peace flows like a river and the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14).
The triumphant return of the King is also a day of reckoning. It signals the end of rebellion and the establishment of God’s authority in fullness. As Martin Lloyd-Jones writes, “Christ will return not to deal with sin again but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”
This prophecy calls us to live in readiness and hope. As Rick Warren reflects, “When we live with the end in view, it changes how we live in the present.” Christ’s victorious return invites us to align our lives with His purposes, eagerly anticipating the day when His name will be the only name, and His reign will bring everlasting peace and justice.
The Importance of Submission to the King
Zechariah’s prophetic vision compels us to submit to the Messiah’s leadership now, preparing our hearts for His return as the victorious King. Submission is not merely an act of obedience but a recognition of Christ’s rightful authority over all creation. John Wesley exhorts us, “Let us yield our hearts to Christ as King today, so we may rejoice in His reign tomorrow.” To submit now is to embrace the joy, peace, and purpose of living under His rule.
C.S. Lewis captures the urgency of this call in Mere Christianity: “When the author walks onto the stage, the play is over.” His imagery reminds us that the return of Christ will mark the end of this age and the beginning of His eternal Kingdom. There will be no opportunity for repentance after that moment; thus, the time to turn to Him is now.
Timothy Keller highlights the transformative power of submission: “The gospel teaches us that we do not earn our way into Christ’s Kingdom; we are brought in by His grace. But this grace transforms us into loyal citizens who long for His return.” Submission to Christ begins with accepting His grace—a surrender that leads to transformation.
Zechariah’s message is clear: submitting to Christ is not just preparation for His return, but a daily surrender that aligns us with His Kingdom here and now. As Dallas Willard reflects, “To live in the Kingdom of God is to live in willing obedience to the King.” True submission brings freedom and joy as we learn to trust His wisdom and love. By yielding to Christ, we experience a foretaste of His coming Kingdom and the hope of eternal life under His perfect reign.
The King Will Establish Peace
“He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
— Zechariah 9:10
Zechariah 9:10 portrays the Messiah as the ultimate peacemaker, whose Kingdom will bring harmony and restoration to all creation. His proclamation of peace extends beyond mere political agreements or the cessation of war. Instead, it ushers in a comprehensive shalom—spiritual, relational, and cosmic harmony. Henri Nouwen captures this truth: “Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God.” Under the Messiah’s reign, God’s presence will fill the earth, replacing chaos and division with His divine order.
Richard Foster emphasizes that this peace begins now in the hearts of believers: “As we live under the reign of Christ now, we become peacemakers, bearing witness to the future reality of His Kingdom.” Christ’s followers are called to reflect His peace in a broken world, serving as ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
This peace extends across all nations and creation itself. Derek Kidner observes, “The Messiah’s reign will bring harmony not only to humanity but to the natural order, fulfilling God’s original design for the world.” Isaiah 11:6-9 describes this reality vividly, where even natural enemies coexist peacefully under Christ’s rule.
Ultimately, the King’s peace is rooted in the cross. Through His sacrifice, Jesus reconciled humanity to God, breaking the power of sin and enabling true peace (Colossians 1:20). As Dallas Willard reminds us, “Living in God’s peace requires surrendering to His will and embracing the Kingdom’s priorities.”
Zechariah’s vision calls us to anticipate the day when Christ’s peace will cover the earth, uniting nations, healing wounds, and restoring all things under His loving rule. Until then, we live as witnesses to this peace, embodying the hope of the Kingdom to come.
Lessons Learned and Daily Application
1. Live under Christ’s reign today: Dallas Willard reminds us that the Kingdom of God is not just a future reality but a present calling. We are to submit to Christ’s authority in our daily decisions, letting His teachings shape our attitudes, actions, and relationships. This means pursuing holiness, forgiving others, and loving sacrificially as Jesus did.
2. Prepare for the King’s return: Zechariah urges us to live in anticipation of Christ’s second coming. This involves not only waiting but actively preparing by aligning our lives with His will. We are called to live with integrity, sharing the gospel, and being a light in a world that desperately needs hope.
3. Align your life with God’s eternal purpose: Rick Warren reminds us that history is moving toward the return of Jesus. Our lives find meaning and purpose when we prioritize God’s Kingdom over earthly ambitions. By dedicating ourselves to His mission, we become part of the grand story of redemption.
These lessons challenge us to live intentionally, with a focus on the eternal. Each day is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s reign in our lives, pointing others toward the hope of His coming Kingdom.
A Prayer for Readiness
Lord Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords,
We rejoice in the promise of Your return. Thank You for coming first as a humble servant to save us from sin. Help us to submit to Your reign in our hearts today and to live as faithful citizens of Your Kingdom. Strengthen us to proclaim Your gospel, pursue Your peace, and long for Your glorious appearing. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and establish Your eternal Kingdom. Amen.
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