Read Zechariah 8
Highlights In Today's Reading:
My people (8:8; 10:6-12). Hear the prophets (8:9). Fantastic revelations of Jesus, the Messiah, hundreds of years before His birth: (9:9; 11:12-13; 12:10;13:7). Like the remnant, we too can be refined like silver (13:9). His triumphant return to earth (14:4-9).
As Jesus entered Jerusalem 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 cometh in the Name of the Lord (Matt. 21:8-9). This was His formal declaration and recognition as the Messiah-King, and a fulfillment of prophecy: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass (Zech. 9:9). The cry Hosanna (Save Us) by the people was rejected by the religious leaders who, instead, shouted: Crucify Him (Mark 15:13). More than 500 years before it took place, Zechariah prophesied the events of Judas' transactions with the religious leaders saying: 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. And the Lord said unto me, cast it unto the potter (Zech. 11:12-13; Matt. 27:9-10; Ex. 21:32; Matt. 26:15). Our precious Savior and Lord, the true King of kings, was rejected and sold for the price of a slave — for a mere thirty pieces of silver.
About 2,000 years have gone by and we will soon see the fulfillment of another prophecy, when Israel will recognize and exalt its Messiah as foretold: I will pour upon the House of David . . . the Spirit of grace . . . and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son (Zech. 12:10).
Zechariah also foretold Jesus Christ's return to earth from heaven (14:9). Behold, the day of the Lord cometh . . . I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle . . . Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations. . . . And the Lord shall be King over all the earth (14:1-4,9). What a spectacular future.
Like the first disciples of Christ, we are all tempted to focus our time on the details of future events. But, remember what Jesus said to His disciples on the Mount of Olives when they asked: Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel? . . . He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power (Acts 1:6-7).
Thought for Today:
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Ps. 16:11).
Christ Revealed:
As King and as a Servant sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 9:9; 11:12). They covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15).
Word Studies:
8:2 was jealous . . . with great jealousy = loved with great protective love; 10:3 goats = civic and political leaders; 10:8 hiss = signal; 11:7 Beauty, and . . . Bands = two shepherd's staffs; 14:9 His Name One = Jesus will be recognized and reign as God with no rival false god.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: George Kopchak • Government Officials: Rep. Joseph Donnelly (IN), Rep. John McHugh (NY) and Sen. Bill Nelson (FL) • Country: Egypt (66 million) in northeastern Africa • Major languages: Arabic and English • Christians are not permitted to evangelize Muslims • 87.5% Muslim; 12% Christian; .5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to God, for He hears your prayers and delivers you (Ps. 40:1-3).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 15:4