Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10; Matthew 21:1-11

Devotional:

The king the world expected would arrive on a warhorse with military might. Israel had waited centuries for this moment. Instead, Jesus came humbly on a donkey, conquering through sacrifice rather than force, through death rather than domination.

This radical reversal defines the kingdom we're building—one where the proud are brought low and the humble lifted up, where strength is found in surrender. Everything about Jesus' kingship inverts worldly expectations. He touches lepers, elevates children, and chooses fishermen as His closest followers. He defeats death by submitting to it.

Jesus didn't just show us heaven's promises; He guaranteed them through His death and resurrection. Because He has already won, we can risk, try, and fail without fear. Death isn't the end. Failure isn't final. The foundation is secure because Jesus Himself became the cornerstone.

This security frees us to live differently. We can pursue justice even when it costs us position, speak truth even when it damages our reputation, and love enemies even when they remain hostile. We can embrace obscurity and choose servanthood because our king modeled this path.

Today, consider where pride or self-reliance keeps you from embracing His humble way. What would it look like to trust His completed work rather than your own efforts? What burden of proving yourself could you lay down?

Quote: "The cross is the place where we find the courage to be our true selves, to love our true selves, because there we see how deeply we are loved." — Timothy Keller

Reflection Question: How does Jesus' humility challenge your approach to building a good life?