Read Zechariah 8 -- 14
In Today's Reading:
Restoration of Jerusalem foretold; judgment on nations; future King having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass. . . . and the Lord their God shall save them (9:9,16); blessing from the prophecy of the Messiah, Who shall stand upon the Mount of Olives; Holiness unto the Lord (14:4) shall prevail.
Verses for Today:
I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (11:12).
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 upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass (Zechariah 9:9). The cry of Hosanna (meaning "save us") by the people was rejected by the religious leaders who, instead, insisted that the Roman authorities crucify Him (Mark 15:13).
Zechariah also foretold details concerning Jesus' betrayer Judas and his transactions with the religious leaders.
Jesus, the True King of kings, was rejected and sold for the price of a 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 (Romans 11:1-25). 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 upon the House of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplications: and they shall look upon 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 (Zechariah 14:1-4).
We are all prone to waste our time considering the details of future events and forget what Jesus said to His disciples when they asked: Lord, wilt Thou 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 unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:6-8).
Christ Revealed:
As King (Zechariah 9:9; compare Mark 11:7-11; John 12:12-19); as a Servant sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; compare Matthew 26:15). His side, hands, and feet were to be pierced (Zechariah 12:10; compare John 19:34; 20:27); and Christ, the Great Shepherd, was to be smitten and His disciples scattered as sheep (Zechariah 13:7; compare Matthew 26:31; Isaiah 53:4).
Word Studies:
8:2 was jealous with great jealousy = loved with protective love; 10:3 goats = civic and political leaders; 10:8 hiss = signal; 11:7 Beauty = Grace, Good Will; Bands = Unity; 14:9 His Name One = 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 the missionary ministries · Country: Vatican City (900) in Rome, Italy · Major languages: Italian and Latin · Religious freedom · Approximately 100% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for those who are in adverse circumstances (Hebrews 13:3).
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 15:4