*Scripture: Zechariah 9:1-17 (NKJV)* 1 The burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus its resting place (for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD); 2 Also against Hamath, which borders on it, and against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 3 For Tyre built herself a tower, heaped up silver like the dust, and gold like the mire of the streets. 4 Behold, the LORD will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, and she will be devoured by fire. 5 Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; And Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. 6 "A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 7 I will take away the blood from his mouth, and the abominations from between his teeth. But he who remains, even he shall be for our God, and shall be like a leader in Judah, and Ekron like a Jebusite. 8 I will camp around My house because of the army, because of him who passes by and him who returns. No more shall an oppressor pass through them, for now I have seen with My eyes.
9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; The battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be 'from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.' 11 "As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. 12 Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. 13 For I have bent Judah, My bow, fitted the bow with Ephraim, and raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and made you like the sword of a mighty man." 14 Then the LORD will be seen over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and go with whirlwinds from the south. 15 The LORD of hosts will defend them; They shall devour and subdue with slingstones. They shall drink and roar as if with wine; They shall be filled with blood like basins, like the corners of the altar. 16 The LORD their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land--17 for how great is its goodness and how great its beauty! Grain shall make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women. *Devotion* Today's reading uses much imagery of a king going to war, with violence and bloodshed. But in the middle of the chapter is the familiar prophesy of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem lead to a warfare that was very different from the typical battles into which a king rides. Our Lord's battle was with Satan, the ancient enemy of God and man, and the violence and bloodshed that would win the victory would be done to the King Himself, rather than the enemy! The Devil was defeated and his power over the nations was destroyed. By the shedding of God the Son's own Blood, the sins of all mankind were paid for so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life! We are liberated from slavery to the evil ruler Satan and we are given a glorious life under our righteous Lord, Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is not won by carnal violence, and the Gospel is not spread by means of the sword. Earthly kingdoms are protected by such means and justice is maintained through the reality of the sword, but our Lord goes forth with the power of His Word. His Word strikes down the false words of the enemy and it pierces the consciences of the wicked. But it also is the means by which God raises us up to renewed life and freedom as He works faith in us. His Spirit moves us to repentance and trust in Christ crucified, as the prophet says: "The LORD their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people." Amen!
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