Tonight we will read from the Old Testament prophet Zechariah 9:9-10. Many of you will recognize this as the scripture quoted in both Matthew and Luke as part of the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem during the last week of his life.

“Your King Comes.”

That couldn’t help but remind me of J.R.R. Tolkien’s wonderful series of books, and the movies of The Lord of the Rings. Steve Lympus and I are having a contest to see who can read or watch them the most!

In the last of the trilogy, The Return of the King, the country of Gondor has been without a king for many, many years. But when the king finally arrives…he looks a little different than anticipated. Would they know him when he came?

• This king was dressed as a “ranger,” a scout of sorts.
• This king was part of a team, not a magnificent individual.
• This king waited and waited until the time was right to assume the throne.
• This king came as a healer, and not just a warrior.

At every stage, the pressure was there for him to leap into the limelight. The pressure was huge. People wanted the king to come. But would they know him when he came?

Here in Zechariah, Zion’s king is coming. It would have been much easier to recognize him according to the things it lists out in our text.

• if he had come on a white stallion,
• if he had commandeered a chariot like any good general,
• if he had ridden a war horse, if he had carried a battle bow,
• if he had come with a war cry on his lips.

Instead, the king rides in on a donkey, and proclaims peace to the nations.

This week, we will need to be paying careful attention.

The king is coming.
Jesus approaches Jerusalem.
He approaches us.

Will we know him when he comes?

This week, we will need to pay careful attention, or we will miss the real king.

• We’ll think Jesus was unable to save himself.
• We’ll think Jesus was just an unfortunate victim.
• We’ll think Jesus was robbed of his rightful throne.

Will we know him when he comes?

We’ll need to look for something different.

• He brings peace for the nations.
• He brings forgiveness for his people.
• He brings salvation for the world.

He absorbs evil, by giving himself away.

The King Comes. And tonight, he surprises us again. Coming and bringing us a gift, not of gold or silver or something of great material value…but a meal. And an invitation to sit here with Him, at this table in the Lord’s Supper.