Read Zechariah 8
Highlights:
My people (Zech. 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).
Although his prophetic message was fulfilled centuries later, in great anticipation, Zechariah proclaimed: Rejoice greatly . . . shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon . . . a colt the foal of an ass (Zechariah 9:9). This prophecy was fulfilled as Jesus entered Jerusalem during the last week before His crucifixion. A very great multitude. . . . cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest (Matt. 21:8-9). The cry of Hosanna by the people (meaning "save us") was rejected by the jealous religious leaders who, instead, insisted that Jesus be crucified (Mark 14:1; 15:13).
Zechariah also foretold details concerning Judas, Jesus' betrayer, and his transactions with the religious leaders, saying: I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price (wages, reward); and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12). Jesus, the true King of kings, was betrayed for a mere 30 pieces of silver just as prophesied — the price of a mere slave (Ex. 21:32; compare Matthew 26:15). Israel will soon recognize its Messiah as Zechariah foretold: I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn . . . as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn (Zech. 12:10; comp. Rom. 11:26-27).
Zechariah also foretold the end of our present sinful age: Behold, the day of the Lord cometh. . . . I will gather all the 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 (Zech. 14:1-4,9).
We are all prone to waste time speculating on future events and to forget what Jesus said to His disciples when they asked: Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And 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. But ye shall . . . be witnesses unto Me . . . unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:6-8).
Thought for Today:
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
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 moved with great protective love; 10:3 goats civic and political leaders; 10:8 his 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 International Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Staff: Benjamin Wallace • Government Officials: Rep. Joseph Donnelly (IN) and Sen. Bill Nelson (FL) • Country: Canada (31 million) in North America • Major languages: English and French • Religious freedom • 47% Roman Catholic; 37% Protestant; 3% Eastern Orthodox; 2% cults; 1% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Your prayers should be lifted up with confidence in God (Ps. 56:9,11).
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Timothy 2:12