How can we emulate the humility shown by the King in Zechariah 9:9? Verse in Focus Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout for joy, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The King’s Portrait of Humility • Righteous yet approachable—His moral perfection never kept Him distant. • Victorious yet unarmed—He wins by surrender, not by force (cf. Colossians 2:15). • Royal yet riding a beast of burden—choosing a lowly animal over a war-horse. • Foretold yet still willing—centuries of prophecy did not diminish His meekness at the Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:4-5; John 12:14-15). Why His Humility Matters for Us • Humility is God’s chosen pathway to exaltation (Philippians 2:5-11). • God “opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). • Authentic kingdom greatness is always servant-shaped (Mark 10:42-45). Practices That Mirror the King’s Humility 1. Serve in unseen ways – Look for tasks no one applauds (John 13:4-5). 2. Choose gentle responses – “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). 3. Prefer people over position – Sit at the low place first (Luke 14:8-11). 4. Obey promptly even when it costs – Jesus “became obedient to death” (Philippians 2:8). 5. Listen before speaking – “Be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). 6. Celebrate others’ victories – “In humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). 7. Hold possessions lightly – The King owned the colt He rode only by borrowed consent (Luke 19:33-34). 8. Submit your reputation to God – Entrust yourself “to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). 9. Welcome correction – “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge” (Proverbs 12:1). 10. Keep the cross in view – A daily reminder that self-emptying love is the Christian way (Luke 9:23). Checking Our Hearts • Motive: Am I seeking applause or God’s approval? • Dependence: Am I relying on the Spirit or on self-effort? (Galatians 5:22-25) • Joy: True humility produces rejoicing, not resentment (Zechariah 9:9; 2 Corinthians 6:10). Walking It Out Today • Begin each day acknowledging Christ’s rule over your agenda. • Look for one person to serve sacrificially. • End the day thanking Him for any unnoticed moments—He saw them all. |
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