Blessed is the king
Day 481, Friday, Dec. 5
Luke 19:28 – 21:4
As Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem in preparation for sacrificing his life, he drew from Old Testament imagery by riding in on a donkey.
The image comes from Zechariah 9:9, “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.”
The crowd’s response makes it clear they understand the allusion. In Luke 19:38 we read, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Far from his earlier practice of trying to minimize public discussion of his messiahship, Jesus now embraces it. When the Pharisees urge him to silence the crowd, he responds, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Psalms 37:16-26
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Prayer focus
Mighty king, may we praise you boldly.