Zechariah 9:9-12
In Zechariah’s time, as well as our own, the world was a scary place. Today we know what it is to be afraid of violence, to be fearful of an uncertain future, and to see so many on the margins of society.
Yet Zechariah called his people ‘prisoners of hope.’ He invited his people to return to their stronghold.
As people of the way, we Christians have a stronghold in Jesus Christ. The cross of Christ claims us and points us to a future beyond imagining. A humble Messiah, riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and not a war horse, is coming to suffer and die.
At first glance, it seems like more of what we already know. But we will soon rediscover that suffering love transforms all of life. As Desmond Tutu once said “Don’t give up! Don’t get discouraged! I’ve read to the end of the book! We win!”
(c) 2018 Rev. Jackie Linden-Schade