That’s My King!
We know how kings arrive. Roads are cleared. Security surrounds them. Crowds are managed, and everything is orchestrated so the king is honored and protected.
But when Jesus arrives in Luke 19, everything is different.
There is no motorcade. No armed escort. No polished chariot.
Instead, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey. He moves slowly down a dusty road while his disciples and followers, many who want to see the man who raised Lazarus from the dead, wave palm fronds, lay their cloaks on the road and cry out, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” He does not come to be protected or isolated from the people. He comes to be live with them, die for them as their Kinsman Redeemer and save them as the promised Messiah.
It’s Passover and the humble Passover Lamb rides on a donkey.
A Different Kind of King
This moment fulfills the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9:9:
“Behold, your King comes… righteous and having salvation… humble and mounted on a donkey.”
In the ancient world, a donkey was not a sign of weakness, but of peace. It also symbolizes legitimacy in times of kingship (1 Kings 1:33-34). Jesus is not arriving for war. He is arriving to save. Yet many people missed him because they wanted a revolution. He knew we needed salvation.
They expected a king who would overthrow systems, assert power, and meet their expectations. Instead, Jesus comes in humility, offering peace, salvation, restoration and relationship.
The King Who Cares
Jesus not only calls for a colt. He ensures it can carry him in without resistance. Jesus tells the disciples to bring the colt’s mother seemingly so the colt would not be distressed (Matt. 21). This reveals something profound! Jesus does not simply come in peace. Jesus comes with care and compassion..
If he is mindful of a colt, how much more is he mindful of you?
Some of us are carrying pressure, grief and questions we cannot even fully express. Yet the same King who prepared the colt prepares us for whatever we might face.
Is Jesus Your King
Everyone wants a King until it is time to give him the crown.
However, you cannot crown him and keep ruling at the same time.
Either he is King of your life, he is a guest in your life or he is not in your life.
To abide in him, the question is not whether he is King.
The question is “Is he your King?”
Reflection Questions
- What expectations do I have of Jesus that may not match who he truly is?
- Isaiah 55:8–9 In what areas of my life am I resisting his authority?
- Luke 6:46 Where am I trying to stay in control instead of surrendering to him?
- Proverbs 3:5–6 How have I experienced Jesus caring for me in times of distress?
- 1 Peter 5:7 What would it look like for me to fully recognize him as King today?
Next Steps
- Take one minute each morning this week to pray: “Jesus, you are King over my life today.”
- Identify one area where you need to release control and surrender it to him. Pray Philippians 4:6-7. Example: “Heavenly Father, your word teaches me not to be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of my requests to you in prayer, petitions, and thanks. I praise you knowing your peace exceeds all understanding and you will keep my heart and mind safe in Christ Jesus.”