Luke 19:38

New King James Version

“‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

For Meditation

Think about it. The King of Heaven riding on a donkey into His chosen and beloved city. He did not own it but borrowed it for the ride. 

Self-image was not His aim. Impressions were far from His consideration. He came as Zechariah had prophesied—that the people may know that the time for their redemption had come was all that concerned Him (Zech. 9:9).

He had to conquer sin. Death definitively had to give way to life in Him. Sight for the blind, strengthened legs for the lame, voice for the mute to praise God, and the demoniac to deliver. These were His sole preoccupation. No more to fear the one who held the power of death—the devil—who had kept Adam’s race in slavery by their fear of death (Heb. 4:14-15); this was His purpose. Therefore, He asked for a donkey and rode into Jerusalem.

The crowd, with palm branches and their cloaks dressing the road, sang:

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (L k. 19:38).

Where is the place for pride in His redeemed children? Why the scramble for Arabian Steeds—luxury cars and airplanes? Who told us it is the way into His heart or to testify to His blessings?

O, that we may learn from the suffering Servant. 

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to grasp. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on the cross (Phil. 2:5-8).

So, rejoice in His victory (1 Cor. 15:54-56) and learn from the Son of God who was rich, but became poor for our sakes, that we could be rich through his poverty (2 Cor. 8:9). Let us honor this grace He has lavished on us. Amen!