Bible Pathways 9/29./2001
September 29
Read Zechariah 8 -- 14
As Jesus entered Jerusalem during the last week before His crucifixion, we read that a very great multitude. . . . cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest (Matthew 21:8-9). This was a fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, your King comes to you: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, and upon a colt the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). The cry of Hosanna by the people (meaning "save us") was rejected by the religious leaders, who, instead, insisted that the Roman authorities crucify Him (Mark 15:13).
Zechariah also foretold details concerning Judas, the betrayer, and his transactions with the religious leaders, saying: I said to them, If you think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12).
Jesus, the True King of kings, was rejected and sold for the price of a servant (slave), for a mere thirty pieces of silver (Exodus 21:32; compare Matthew 26:15). As a result of the rejection of Jesus, the Jews have been under false shepherds ever since. But, the most deceptive of all shepherds, the Antichrist, is yet to exploit them near the end of this present age.
Israel will soon recognize its Messiah as Zechariah foretold: I will pour on the House of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look on Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn (Zechariah 12:10; compare Romans 11:26-27).
Zechariah foretold the end of this present age: Behold, the day of the Lord comes. . . . I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. . . . Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations. . . . And His feet shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east. . . . And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day there shall be One Lord, and His Name One (14:1-4,9).
We are all prone to waste our time on the details of future events and forget what Jesus said to His disciples when they asked: Lord, will You at this time restore again the Kingdom? . . . And He said to them, It is not (important) for you to know the times or the seasons. . . . But you shall . . . be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:6-8).
Christ Revealed: As King (Zechariah 9:9; Mark 11:7-11; John 12:12-19); as a Servant sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12; Matt. 26:15; Isaiah 53:5). His side, hands, and feet were to be pierced (Zech. 12:10; John 19:34; 20:27); and Christ, the Great Shepherd, was to be smitten and His disciples scattered as sheep (Zech. 13:7; Matt. 26:31,56; Isaiah 53:4).
Word Studies: 8:2 was jealous means protective love; 10:3 goats means civic and political leaders; 10:8 hiss means signal; 11:7 Beauty means Grace, Good Will; Bands means Unity; 14:9 His Name One means Jesus will be recognized and reign as God.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. John McHugh (NY), Sen. Bill Nelson (FL), and Rep. Max Sandlin, Jr. (TX) · Pray for Selma Tyler, Growing in Grace Prayerline Ministry · Country: Belgium (10 million) in northwestern Europe · Major languages: Flemish and French · Religious freedom · 87% Roman Catholic; 3% Muslim; .8% Protestant; .5% Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for those in authority over you (I Timothy 2:1-2).
Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 6:31
