25 Days of Advent: Forged for our Hope – Day 3

As I turned to ascend the staircase, my eyes glanced at the figurines nestled upon the glossy dresser that stands in the front hall. There among the crowd of artistically carved figures sits a lowly babe swaddled in a mother’s arms.

And lowly he indeed appeared in the nativity scene, half naked wrapped in burlap. And yet the tiniest piece in this visual story holds the greatest importance.

In the book of Zechariah we find this minor prophet sharing his passion for the rebuilding of the temple. Zechariah speaks of many visions and shares a picture of the coming king:

Zechariah 9:9, 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.

The king of whom the people await is righteous and victorious, yet comes to the people lowly and riding upon the back of an infant donkey. Not how one may picture the entrance of this long-awaited royalty.

But this was exactly how Jesus came strolling in. We encounter the fulfillment of this vision in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus was with His disciples drawing near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of His men into the village to retrieve a colt and bring it to Him. The men did as Jesus asked and, in doing so, bringing the colt to Jesus where he covered it in their cloaks and sat upon its back riding it into town, the picture Zechariah painted of the coming king came to pass.

Promise made, promise fulfilled.

Mark 11:7-10, When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

And there lies our hope. When we are still, recognizing even the tiniest piece of the story, we are able to see that even the tiniest pieces can hold the greatest importance.

Not only did those who looked upon him recognize him for who he truly was, The One coming in the name of the Lord, they followed Jesus’ example and what He had done. Like Jesus had laid the cloaks over the donkey, they too laid their cloaks over the road. And those who perhaps did not have cloaks laboured for branches to lay under His feet. They were prepared to submit their comfort as His presence ushered in before them.

We are forged for our hope when we can submit unto our King with pure humility recognizing His authority. And when we follow in His footsteps, following the example He sets before us, offering our comfort in His presence, we are gifted the ability to see His promises fulfilled.

Father, forge me in the fire to bring forth true humility in my character. As I come into your presence, I submit unto your authority knowing I have hope that your promises will be fulfilled in my life. In Jesus name, amen.