Zech. ix. 9. Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion ; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem : behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation: loioly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
THERE is scarcely any circumstance relating to the life and death of Christ which was not made a subject of prophecy many hundred years before he came into the world. Even things the most impro- bable in themselves were predicted, that by their
accomplishment the truth of his divine mission might be more fully manifest. That the words before us do indeed relate to him, is certain ; because the voice of inspiration assures us that they were fulfilled when he entered into Jerusalem riding on the foal of an ass. In discoursing on them we shall consider,
I. The description here given of Jesus —
In his office he is the " King of Zion" —
[The whole universe is under his dominion, seeing that he is " King of kings, and Lord of lords." But he is in a more eminent manner King of Zion, because all the members of Zion are his subjects willingly and by an unfeigned surrender of themselves to him. They gladly receive his laws ; and he constantly affords them his protection. As the Church in the wilderness was under a visible theocracy, so is the Church in all ages, and every individual in the Church, really, though invisibly, under the care and government of Jesus a.]
In his character he is the best of princes —
He is just —
[His justice appears in every law which he has enacted, and his righteousness in every part of his administration. There are indeed many things in his government, which we are not at present able to account for; but the day of judg- ment will clear up all the present obscurities, and manifest, that every the minutest occurrence was ordered by him with unerring wisdom, goodness, and truth. It will then be seen that " righteousness was at all times the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins b."l
He is powerful —
[Earthly kings may be just, yet not be able to screen their subjects from the injustice of others. But Jesus " has salvation" in his hand for all those who call upon him. Does sin oppress us? he can deliver us both from its guilt and power. Does Satan assault and buffet us? " His grace shall be sufficient" for the weakest of his people. Does " the fear of death keep us in bondage?" He can make us triumphant both in the prospect of it now, and in a happy resurrection at the last day.]
He is lowly —
[Great power and dignity are too often the means of en- gendering pride in our hearts. The kings of the earth would think it a degradation to converse familiarly with their meanest
a Eph. i. 22. b Isai. xi. 5.