Right in Front of our Eyes

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. (Zechariah 9:9)

Anticipation is often as much fun as the actual awaited day. Sometimes we fill our head and our hearts with such images of grandeur and happiness, that reality takes a hit; disappointment overtakes us.

As we walk through the season of Lent, observing in whatever fashion is our norm, we reflect on Jesus and all His coming means. We think of the different lives we live because of our salvation. We are blessed because we are His; He claims us as children and heirs. I am reminded of the words to a song which go like this: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow," and my heart is filled with expectancy.

Jesus entered Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of 500 years ago in Zechariah. The King arrived and bondage was over. They celebrated and honored Him with a parade to end all parades! But their love and affection became short-lived. The got what they wanted, what they anticipated for centuries, but they didn't recognize the blessing in their midst.

Isn't it often that way? Don't we get what we desired only to be filled with disappointment or regret? The Jewish nation, was looking for a King, a military leader who would free their physical bodies from oppression, one who would wage war and kill their enemies.

What did they get? The King of Kings who would free them from sin, rode before them on a donkey. What they got was a Redeemer King who would set them free for all time. What they got was more than they could ever have imagined dreamed, and they missed it!

Let's conclude our Lenten preparations and enter Jerusalem with Jesus this year.  Let's be part of the joyous crowds shouting, Hosanna! Let's welcome Jesus as our Savior - the One who will free us forever; the One who will be with us in eternity. Let's not miss it.
Zechariah 9:9-17