The Weeping King

 On Lamb Selection Day (that's how I informally dubbed Palm Sunday), Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem (which, through God's eternal providence, means "Teaching of Peace") to fulfill the prophecy written of His nature in Zechariah 9:9,

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.    ---Zechariah 9:9

That word translated "gentle" has numerous other nuances in Hebrew, and I believe any of them could easily fit, and would make sense to apply to Jesus. The word translated "gentle" or "humble" in most translations comes from the Hebrew ani. This word could mean "gentle, meek, or lowly," and this fits the statement Jesus was making, that he is the King of peace, and He wasn't about to start any war. Another frequent translation of the word ani  is the word "poor." I always miss the fact that Jesus was, is, and will be King forever, even while He stayed with us here on earth. The King of kings had no palace (not even a house!), no wife, no family to His name. (Matt. 8:20) Yet one other common translation of the word ani  is "afflicted, anguished, in misery, sorrowful." Jesus' words carry a lot more emotion when we realize the connection to Zechariah's prophecy... take a look!

As He [Jesus] approached Jerusalem [teaching of peace] and saw the city, He wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace -- but now it is hidden from your eyes."      ---Luke 19:41-42

  The King of kings had one set of clothes. Even these would be taken from Him. But He was fine with that. The King of creation did not come to be served in majesty, but to serve in humility and to rescue and to pursue His wayward bride.

Citations:

Tverberg, Lois, Bruce Okkema. Listening to the Language of the Bible: Hearing it Through Jesus' Ears.