200 years before Zechariah: Isa 62.11 Indeed the Lord has proclaimed To the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.’ “
Then we have Zechariah’s prophecy: Zech 9.9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”
What kind of king would this be, riding young untrained donkey? What kind of promise this, uttered 520+ years before time?
Foundation of replacement Temple already laid and progress came to screeching halt – “neighbors” protested to king, got lobbyists to make case it shouldn’t be completed. Got executive order, by force of arms made construction stop. 15 years went by, change of administration but no effort made by residents of Jerusalem to get back to work… either on Temple or repairing wall. Discouraged by opposition? second class materials? generally apathetic, got used to the rut? Grace period ended, God sent two men to light fire of enthusiasm, stir up people to go back to work, finish what they started. Those two: Haggai and Zechariah (Ezr. 5).
Message given not so much to criticize, chastise but encourage, give powerful reason for renewed diligence.
A. what
look up
attention-getter people world over, throughout time apparently need – over and over used, >1000+, Old & New, God and angels
don’t have eyes closed… all the time, so what’s problem? too often not considering what is of greatest, even eternal significance
residents of Jerusalem looking at broken wall, enemies; men in field looking at sheep when world was changing almost w/i sight
wake up
pay attention to where on timeline, next big thing God has planned… esp. when he tells enough to know what it is he will do
don’t be fooled by what you see, frequently not what you expect but… does it fit what God said through prophets comes next
when you know that, what does God expect his people to be doing – working for the King, welcoming the King when he arrives
rise up
returned Jews w/o any word from king went back to work when Haggai/Zechariah encouraged, finished Temple reconstruction
shepherds heard announcement from angels, as soon as got breath back got up and went to see what was happening in stable
Jews of Jesus’ day got up and followed him into city – is logical we should rise up and follow him, finishing what he started
B. why
he promised
prophets spoke but not own words, “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit”… was God’s words/promises
OT prophecies not last word from God, more promises in NT – came first time with salvation, task bigger than that
since kept promise to come riding donkey, must be coming again… still future for us but not any less certain than first advent
he’s coming
was enough to stir Jews to finish Temple, was ready when King arrived with glory that made it far greater than Solomon’s
baby laid in humble manger grew up, ministered to his people – day finally arrived when crowned… handmade with thorns
witnesses couldn’t recognize kind of salvation / deliverance he brought – was best kind, like no other, meets need perfectly
his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem didn’t look like much of triumph – was dead in less than a week… is so God’s way
it’s a big delivery
Heb 9.28 “Christ …will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
will be as obvious then to his people who he is, what he is about as to shepherds, children outside Jerusalem, will be greeted with Hosannas from all who love him and welcome his appearing
Mary delivered a baby that came about by God’s direct doing who brought his healing and forgiveness to lost world
C. when
soon
whatever date is on God’s timeline, are more than 2500 years closer to it now than when Zechariah first spoke God’s message
for world that seems teetering on edge of total disaster, we need guaranteed promise there truly is hope, sooner is better
how bad must it get before God says “enough” – not a good question, is better one should give attention to
how many more Jesus came to save still need to be reached with good news of Gospel? list getting shorter daily but…
a surprise
disciples asked Jesus when big day was scheduled – Jesus response “not your business”, iow you have other business
every indication from Bible: will be sudden, no further warning – should expect it anytime, will still be surprised
if we knew, would be no need for faith, trusting in One we cannot see to do what he has promised everyone will see
it’s finished
last thing Jesus declared from cross: “it is finished”… and he was right, he had paid penalty for sin in full for all his people
for salvation to be complete, is more to be done – must be “proclaimed to the end of the world” first (Isaiah) and Great Commission… “disciples of all nations”
Jesus started the work, gave examples of how to do it, told his disciples to go make more disciples who make more disciples
and then there’s the Curse, God’s response to Adam and Eve’s sin in Garden – awful consequences of it need to be lifted
sure seems like “whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Rom 8.22) must be about ready to deliver and be delivered
Look! Wake up! Your King is coming! Indeed he is returning sooner than we think. He is your king, not someone else’s, yours if you believe in him. And doesn’t keep his distance, comes to you. Don’t be afraid, his coming the first time is gentle.
To have real hope from prophets’ message, requires more than just believing Matthew wrote truth, that prophecy was indeed fulfilled. Must believe not only is Christ a good Savior for people 2000 years ago, he is good Savior to you.
But will he ever come in power? On a white horse, called Faithful and True, next time to judge and make war.
Rev. 19:11-16 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Christ’s church in similar place as Jews of Zechariah’s day – our King is coming, next time on a horse not a donkey, and his church isn’t finished yet. Christ is the one building his church and he uses his people as fellow laborers to build it with him. Promises of the prophets give genuine hope for good outcome, that just as he came before, will come again. Also give much reason to be busy.
In the meantime, don’t lose the wonder – that he is your king who came to save you and comes again to receive you to himself. Only by his grace is this possible, only by the power of God himself can the baby who came to earth in humble circumstances, gave his life on a cruel cross and then rose from the dead be the Lord of Glory.
Reformanda 