Devotionals

Question 40: Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even "unto death"?

Answer: Because with respect to the justice and truth of God (a), satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God (b).

(a) Genesis 2:17: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

(b) Romans 8:3-4: For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Hebrews 2:9: But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:14-15: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

For your personal reflection:
The suffering an death of Christ won for us salvation.  His conquest of death was the undoing of our first parent’s sin.  For thousands of years humanity stood under the sentence of death.  Christ, by His death and resurrection, triumphed over our greatest enemy.  No one ever again need fear this enemy as Christ’s blood is more than sufficient to save even the greatest of sinners. 

What sins blot your life?

What death are you dying?

How might you apply Christ’s blood to your circumstances?

Question 39: Is there anything more in his being "crucified", than if he had died some other death?

Answer: Yes there is; for thereby I am assured, that he took on him the curse which lay upon me (a); for the death of the cross was accursed of God (b).

(a) Galatians 3:13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"—

(b) Deuteronomy 21:23: his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.

For your personal reflection:
The question above is getting at the heart of the manner of Christ’s death.  Did it matter that He be crucified?  The answer is, of course, "yes."  In the Old Testament, as a part of the law, we are told that "cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree."  The New Testament reveals to us that Christ became the curse of which the law spoke. 

What stands against you, condemning you?

How does Christ’s assumption of your curse free you?

What responsibility comes with your freedom?

Question 37: What dost thou understand by the words, "He suffered"?

Answer: That he, all the time that he lived on earth, but especially at the end of his life, sustained in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sins of all mankind (a): that so by his passion, as the only propitiatory sacrifice (b), he might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation (c), and obtain for us the favour of God, righteousness and eternal life (d).

(a) Isaiah 53:4: Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

1 Peter 2:24: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 Timothy 2:6: who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

(b) Isaiah 53:10, 12: Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand…Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Ephesians 5:2: And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 Corinthians 5:7: Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

1 John 2:2: He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 4:10: In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 3:25: whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Hebrews 9:28: so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:14: For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

(c) Galatians 3:13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"—

Colossians 1:13: He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Hebrews 9:12: he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

1 Peter 1:18-19: knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

(d) Romans 3:25: whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

2 Corinthians 5:21: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 6:51: I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Hebrews 9:15: Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 10:19: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.

For your personal reflection:
I’ve never understood people who believe that humanity is "basically good."  The whole of the historical witness is quite the contrary.  The writer of Ecclesiastes understood that this world is marked by suffering.  In His assumption of our humanity, Christ entered into the midst, and the depth, of our suffering.  In so doing, Christ alone, among the gods of the universe,  has suffered.  It is difficult, to say the least, to envision a God "coming down" to the creaturely level without the matter of sin and evil- it is all the more difficult to imaging perfection entering the fallenness of our world. 

Why was it necessary for Christ to suffer?

What bearing does His suffering have on you?

What meaning does His suffering bring to your suffering?

Question 36: What benefit do you receive from Christ’s holy conception and nativity?

Answer: That he is our Mediator (a); and with His innocence and perfect holiness, covers in the sight of God, my sins, wherein I was conceived and brought forth (b).

(a) Hebrews 7:26-27: For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 2:17: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

(b) 1 Peter 1:18-19: knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 Corinthians 1:30-31: And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Romans 8:3-4: For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Isaiah 53:11: Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Psalm 32:1: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

For your personal reflection:
The only idea of salvation recorded in Scripture is found in Jesus, and the only Jesus that exists is the one who was “conceived by the Holy Spirit” and “born to the Virgin Mary.”  Lots of Jesus’ are around today.  And, Jesus said it would be so (”don’t be deceived”, He said, “by those saying ‘here is the Christ’”).  We don’t need Hollywood to fabricate a Christ for us, we do just fine on our own.  What Jesus have you created?  When you read Scripture, do you find yourself fitting Him into an anticipated mold, or, do you find your idea about Him shattered?  If your Jesus is the epitome of love and mercy and kindness what do you do with the man who spoke more about the terrible reality of hell than the other biblical writers combined and who referred to truly good, religious people as “broods of vipers”?  If your Jesus is a stern, moralistic man, an exemplar of human righteousness what do you do with the man who contentedly ate with the most vile of sinners, associated with prostitutes and said the kingdom of heaven was theirs?  The point is, apart from - or in opposition to - Scripture, we all create our own personal Jesus. 

What is the image of your Jesus?  How does it fit with the biblical witness?

What implications have been worked out in your life as a result of your image of Jesus?

What revelation of Christ is most challenging to you?

Question 35: What does it mean that "He was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary"?

Answer: That God’s eternal Son, who is, and continues (a) true and eternal God (b), took upon him the very nature of man, of the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary (c), by the operation of the Holy Ghost (d); that he might also be the true seed of David (e), like unto his brethren in all things (f), sin excepted (g).

(a) Romans 1:4: and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Romans 9:5: To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

(b) 1 John 5:20: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Romans 1:3: concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.

Colossians 1:15: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

(c) Galatians 4:4: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

Luke 1:31: And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Luke 1:42-43: and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

(d) John 1:14: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 1:18, 20: Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit…But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:35: And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.

(e) Psalm 132:11: The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.

Romans 1:3: concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.

2 Samuel 7:12: When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

Luke 1:32: He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

Acts 2:30: Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,

(f) Philippians 2:7: but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

Hebrews 2:14: Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:17: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

(g) Hebrews 4:15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

For your personal reflection:

The central claim of Christianity is that God became human.  It was no easier to believe in the First Century than it is in the Twenty-first Century.  The more we read the biblical witness the greater our insight into this central truth.  By being fully God Christ is the means and has the power to address our need.  By being fully human He stands with us in our condition, identifying fully with our circumstances, and restores what our first parents forfeited. 

Is this a difficult idea to understand?  To accept?  Why/why not?

What happens if we lose our grasp on the full humanity of Jesus? 

What implications if we settle mostly on "Jesus as God" side of the equation?

Question 34:  Why do you call him "our Lord"?

Answer: Because he hath redeemed us, both soul and body, from all our sins, not with silver or gold, but with his precious blood, and has delivered us from all the power of the devil; and thus has made us his own property (a).

(a) 1 Peter 1:18-19: Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Corinthians 6:20: For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 7:23: You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.

1 Timothy 2:6: Who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

John 20:28: Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

For your personal reflection:

Have you ever been in a predicament that you could get out of? 

In June 1944 most of Europe was held captive by a hostile power.  Deliverance, while hoped for, seemed remote.  On 6 June 1944 the allied forces launched the most outrageous military action to affect the freedom of the continent.  The cost of human life was extreme.  Whole units wiped out.  The price was high for liberation.  Our "family story" is that we, too, were held captive by a hostile force.  The great Apostle wondered "who will deliver me?"  His answer, Christ alone.  The transaction price for our freedom?  His life.

Have you considered the cost to give you life?  How does this consideration - does this consideration - affect the manner in which you live?

How does Christ’s redemptive action shape and give content to your gratitude?

Question 33: Why is Christ called the "only begotten Son" of God, since we are also the children of God?

Answer: Because Christ alone is the eternal and natural Son of God (a); but we are children adopted of God, by grace, for his sake (b).

(a) John 1:1-3: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:18: No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Hebrews 1:1-2: Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:9: In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

Romans 8:32: He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

(b) Romans 8:15-17: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

John 1:12: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Galatians 4:6: And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Ephesians 1:5-6: he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

For your personal reflection:
Adoption is a wonderful thing.  Think about it, a child who has nothing now has everything - family, security, identity - even the same legal status as natural born children.  Jesus Christ, begotten of the Father, is the "natural" born Son of God.  We are natural born descendents of Adam and Eve.  Because our first parents fell, yielding their hearts and will to someone and something other than God their Father, captivity and death entered into our reality and we, as a race, were separated from the source of life.  Like the prodigal son we find ourselves living in a far land away from our true home, true family and true identity.  But, for those who trust the work of Christ, they find that they are brought home.  "Repent and believe" was the command of Christ.  What happens when we repent and believe?  We are forgiven, adopted and restored.  As adopted children we become co-heirs with Christ in all that the Father gives to Him.

"Co-heirs with Christ?"  What do you think about that?  How does that challenge you with regard to your relationships and circumstances?

How does the knowledge that you are a child of God, having been adopted by a Heavenly Father, provide identity and security?

What is the relationship between identity and security?

Question 32: But why are you called a Christian? (a)

Answer: Because I am a member of Christ by faith, and thus am partaker of his anointing (b); that so I may confess his name (c), and present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to him (d): and also that with a free and good conscience I may fight against sin and Satan in this life (e) and afterwards I reign with him eternally (f), over all creatures (g).

(a) Acts 11:26: and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

(b) 1 Corinthians 6:15: Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!

(c) 1 John 2:27: But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Acts 2:17: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

(d) Matthew 10:32: So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

Romans 10:10: For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Mark 8:38: For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

(e) Romans 12:1: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

1 Peter 2:5: you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Revelation 5:8, 10: And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints…and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 1:6: and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(f) 1 Peter 2:11: Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Romans 6:12-13: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Galatians 5:16-17: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

1 Timothy 1:18-19: This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

(g) 2 Timothy 2:12: if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

Matthew 24:34: Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

For your personal reflection:

“Christ in one”: that was how I learned the definition of a Christian when I came to faith.  The Apostle Paul was never able to escape the thought of being “in Christ” and defines “Christ in you” as “the hope of glory.”  What a privilege to bear the name, “Christian.” 

Has it lost its wonder for you?  Does it still thrill you to know Christ Himself indwells you? 

How does the knowledge - and experience - of Christ within you shape you?

Question 31: Why is He called "Christ", that is, “anointed”?
Answer: Because He is ordained of God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Ghost (a), to be our chief Prophet and Teacher (b), who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption (c); and to be our only High Priest (d), who by the one sacrifice of His body, has redeemed us (e), and makes continual intercession with the Father for us (f); and also to be our eternal King, who governs us by His word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in that salvation, He has purchased for us (g).

(a) Psalm 45:8: your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
Hebrews 1:9: You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
Isaiah 61:1: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Luke 4:18: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
(b) Deuteronomy 18:15: "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—
Acts 3:22: Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
Acts 7:37: This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’
Isaiah 55:4: Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
(c) John 1:18: No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
John 15:15:  No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
(d) Psalm 110:4: The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."
(e) Hebrews 10:12, 14: But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 9:12, 14: he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption…how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Hebrews 9:28: so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
(f) Romans 8:34: Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Hebrews 9:24: For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
1 John 2:1: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Romans 5:9-10: Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
(g) Psalm 2:6: "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."
Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Matthew 21:5: "Say to the daughter of Zion,’Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’"
Luke 1:33: and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Matthew 28:18: And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
John 10:28: I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Revelation 12:10-11: And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

For your personal reflection:
In the Old Testament we see that it was the prophets, priests and kings who were anointed by God, that is chosen by God and set apart for God and His purposes.  This anointing was accomplished by the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.  The pattern was established that the Spirit rested upon particular people at particular times for particular purposes.  However, in the very pages of the Old Testament God revealed that One would come who would be the fulfillment these offices, and, in fact, the entire Old Testament witness.  The New Testament reveals to us that Jesus Christ is fulfillment: The Prophet, The Priest and The King.  We also see that in Christ His followers share in His anointing. 
What did God teach us through these offices in the Old Testament?
Why did these offices cease to exist in the New Testament?
What do you know of Christ’s anointing?