Zechariah: The Humble King

Zechariah 9:9-12

The Crown of Discipleship.

When we hear the word crown, we often think of something earned. A reward. An achievement. Something placed on the head of someone who has accomplished something great.

But that is not how the Scriptures speak of the life of discipleship. The crown of discipleship is not something we earn. It is something we receive. It is not a reward for our faithfulness, it is the treasure given to us by grace.

And what is that treasure? Not success. Not power. Not even a better life in this world. The crown of discipleship is Christ Himself.

In our passage this morning, we are shown what kind of King He is. Not the King we would expect. Not the King we would naturally choose. But the King God gives: a humble King who comes to save.

And the call of this passage is simple: receive Him as He is and to rejoice in His salvation.

The Promise of a Better King.

The Setting: God speaks this word to a weary people. They have returned from exile. They are rebuilding Jerusalem. But things are not what they hoped.

There is stagnation, opposition, fatigue, discouragement.

They remember their former glory, the days of David and Solomon. They long for that crown again.

But what they see feels small, fragile, disappointing. They are, as Zechariah says elsewhere, despising the day of small things.

And into that longing, God speaks: “Rejoice greatly… behold, your King is coming to you.” They are looking for the old crown. God promises a better one.

The King Who Comes. What kind of King will he be?

He is righteous. He will be just, upholding the law. He will be everything a king ought to be.

He brings salvation. He comes not merely to rule but to rescue. To restore what is broken. To deliver His people.

He is humble. He will come riding on a donkey. Not a warhorse. Not in military splendor. This is a deliberate rejection of worldly power. This does not make him less of a King, but a different kind of King.

He brings peace. He will cut off the chariot… the war horse… the battle bow.

But notice this, the weapons are taken from his own people, Ephraim and Jerusalem.

The King is not establishing a kingdom through violence or warfare. He will bring peace, not by force, but by removing the very instruments of war.

He keeps covenant. “Because of the blood of my covenant…” This is guaranteed not by human strength, but by God’s own covenant faithfulness.

The Call: “Rejoice… shout aloud…”

Why? Because your King is coming to you. He’s not distant, not waiting for you to reach Him. He comes to you.

The Fulfillment in Jesus:

This promise is not left hanging. It is fulfilled in Jesus.

As we read in Gospel of Matthew 21 and Gospel of John 12, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

This is not accidental. This is intentional. Jesus is declaring: I am that King that God promised to Zechariah.

Jesus is the righteous one: He perfect keeps God’s law.

This is what theologians call His active obedience. He fulfills all righteousness in sinless obedience to God’s commands.

Jesus is the one who brings salvation: “Because of the blood of my covenant…” This points us to the cross -

His perfect righteousness is sufficient for our unrighteousness. He stands as the spotless lamb, and He saves by His blood.

By giving Himself for His people, he establishes the New Covenant - in His blood - for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus came in humility.

This is displayed not just in his riding into Jerusalem, but in every aspect of his incarnation. From His birth and being laid in a manger to His death upon the cross, He made Himself nothing. He had no form or majesty that we should desire Him. No outward glory. No display of power. He did not conquer by force but by the cross.

What we need to know: He comes as promised, but not as expected. He is not the King we would have chosen, but the King we need.

Receiving the Crown in Christ.

Receive Him as He is.

Not the king we would design. Not the king we would prefer. But the King God gives. A humble King. A suffering King. A saving King.

We are tempted to remake Christ in our own image, to prefer strength over humility, control over surrender, power over the cross.

But the call of discipleship is this: Receive Him as He is.

1 Cor 1:23-25 - We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews (who want signs) and folly to Gentiles (who want wisdom), but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Live under His reign

He has established His Kingdom, but we are still at war in this world, but we do not fight like the world in worldly strength.

Zech 4:6 “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord.

2 Cor 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Since He is King we are to live under His rule. We submit to Him. Our catechism teaches that Christ executes the office of a king first by subduing us to Himself. His work as King is not just out there. It is in here. He subdues us. He rules us. He claims every part of our lives.

And so the question is: Where do you still resist His rule?

Rejoice in Him and His salvation: “Rejoice greatly…”

Joy in the midst of the battle. Not in circumstances, not in ease, but in the King who has come to give Himself and save you.

How fitting this is for us today. As we receive new members we celebrate that the King continues to draw men and women into his Kingdom.

As we come to the Table we rejoice in His salvation. The King who came humbly into Jerusalem is the King who gives His body and blood for His people.

Conclusion

Don’t seek the old crown. God has promised something better. Not visible glory. Not immediate power. But a King. A righteous King. A humble King. A saving King.

The crown of discipleship is this: To receive Christ as He is and to rejoice in Him.