Humble Entry
Art By Chris E. Steele in August 2024 Original work hand drawn on digital XP-PEN tablet utilizing Krita.
Instructions: Look at the art - Read the scripture - Meditate on the art - Read the Reflection - Pray - Respond
Zechariah 9:9-10
The Coming of Israel’s King
9 Rejoice well, daughter of Zion, shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your King will come to you: the Just One, the Savior. He is poor and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt, the son of a donkey.
10 And I will scatter the four-horse chariot out of Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be destroyed. And he will speak peace to the Gentiles, and his power will be from sea to sea, and from the rivers even to the end of the earth.
Reflection
The presence of various symbolic animal creatures in the Bible, such as doves, roosters, and, most notably, Noah's ark, is truly captivating.
In Genesis 3:16, there is a snake that can talk, and in Numbers 22:21-29, a donkey converses with Balaam. Out of the 120 species of animals in the bible, the donkey is my favorite.
Symbolically, donkeys represent peace, servitude, and humility and are called the “Beasts of Burden”.
They can carry heavy loads for us.
It is fitting that Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey. His mission was to bring about peace and be of service to others.
When Jesus began his mission, the disciples were eager to pick up swords. Simon Peter drew his sword and severed the ear of the high priest's servant when they came for Jesus. How often do we turn to Jesus for help in our battles, to help us carry our heavy loads?
Sometimes, we ask him to rush in, to defend us, to right an injustice, to be victorious.
But His way is a humble, quiet way and not a warfare way.
With humility and servitude, he appears as the King of Peace.
Open your heart and share
Let him know where you're struggling. Share with him the source of your hurt.
Ask Him to battle for you in His way on His timeline and according to His will for you.
And, like Jesus, reflect if there are those you can forgive and humbly pray for those who hurt you.
Prayer
Lord, make me a channel of your peace! Remind me that unrest is always present in some form. Thank you for the blessings and joys you will bring to me today. I will try to remember your ways to approach others with calmness and peace rather than lifting a sword in battle. I will arm myself in prayer instead of lifting a battle sword.
Amen