“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” — Zechariah 9:9
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21
Zechariah 9:9 reveals a King unlike any other — just, saving, and lowly. He does not arrive with banners of war, but with the posture of meekness. Matthew 1:21 gives the reason for that humility: His mission was salvation, not domination. The lowly entrance of Christ matches the lowly purpose of His coming — to save sinners, not to exalt sinners.
The world expects salvation through power, force, and self-assertion. God brings salvation through humility, obedience, and grace. The King comes low so that fallen men might be lifted high.
David before Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
David did not come in Saul’s armor or with a warrior’s display. He came as a shepherd boy, armed only with faith in God. Israel’s victory did not come through size or spectacle, but through humble dependence upon the Lord. Just as David’s lowly appearance preceded a great deliverance, Christ’s humble coming preceded eternal salvation.
Jesus Washing the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:3–5)
The One who knew He had come from God and was returning to God laid aside His garments and washed the feet of His followers. This act pictured the heart of Matthew 1:21 — a Savior who stoops to cleanse. The same Jesus who saves from sin first humbled Himself to serve.
Salvation does not come by human strength or religious display, but by trusting the lowly Savior. Christ still comes gently — into hearts that will receive Him. If the King came low to save us, we must walk low to follow Him. “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6).