Zechariah 9:9-12
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” vs. 9
We’re familiar with this little verse from Zechariah because we associate it with Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and its numerous Palm Sunday reenactments. Because of its familiarity it’s possible to miss the prophet’s radical message. This isn’t an image of leadership likely to catch on in our world. Among us leaders love to flaunt their positions by lording it over their constituents. They portray themselves as mighty and powerful and would consider an act of humility to be a sign of weakness. They flit to and fro in their helicopters, limousines, and jetliners, always with an entourage at their beck and call. What a contrast with the prophet’s ideal king! What a contrast with Jesus! What’s even more disconcerting is that many of these leaders consider themselves followers of Jesus! If it weren’t so tragic, their narcissistic behaviors would be a joke. The world is longing for humble leaders, men and women motivated by service and ministry, and it’s sad that so few rise to the surface through the political process. The few that emerge most often are overwhelmed by their ruthless adversaries. What a blessing it is to have the model established by Jesus and know that there is a kingdom among us where humility means strength and gentleness abounds.
Thought for the Day: Why don’t we demand humility of our leaders?
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