The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Zechariah 8-14
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 9: Return: God Delivers His People Again
Background Information: Zechariah 8-14
The narrative jumps about thirty-five years into the future. The temple is now rebuilt, but Persia still rules over the land. Zechariah writes that the day is coming when all the nations that surround Israel will no longer be a threat. The kings of Persia, then Greece, and finally Rome were perpetually nervous about a rival king rising up in Judah and leading a revolt against them. Even King Herod, ruling for Rome in Judah, was willing to murder children in an attempt to stop the rise of a rival king. The visit of the wise men following the star alerted him of the threat. This king would not be who they thought he would be. He would conquer his enemies and set his people free, but in a dramatically different fashion that they could have imagined. The expectation of many Jewish people was that the Messiah would be a warrior king who would conquer the enemies of God and restore the former glory of the nation. When Zechariah’s promised King did arrive, riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), it was not to conquer through military might but through his death on a cross. Matthew writes of King Jesus, riding into the city on a donkey while the crowds shouted “hosanna” which means, “save us!” (Matthew 21). He would save them, not from the rule of the Roman empire, but from the rule of sin. The “day of the Lord” is a phrase that indicates the eternal God acting in time and space in special actions. It’s not about a twenty-four-hour period, but it is about real actions in real time. Zechariah predicts that on the day of the Lord, the residents of Jerusalem will look on the one they have pierced and mourn. (Zechariah 12:10). John’s gospel tells us that Zechariah was speaking of Jesus, whose side was pierced with a sword as he died on the cross. (John 19:37). Jesus is a disruptive King. The rulers who feared his rise were right to do so. He overthrows the kingdoms of each individual human heart that submits to his rule. He replaces our own sinful self-rule with his righteous rule. The result of his rule is peace and freedom in human hearts and lives. Those who follow the rule of King Jesus will remain good subjects of earthly kingdoms, but their allegiance is first and foremost to the King of heaven.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray that our middle school and high school students would have a heart for their fellow students at school. Ask God to give them opportunities to share their faith.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.