Zechariah 1-2, 12
"On that day Yahweh will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of Yahweh, going before them. And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn." - Zechariah 12:8-10
The prophet Zechariah, writing in the days of Darius of Persia (520-489 bc), is speaking of events that are still future to us. There is coming a day when God will strengthen the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem. The house of David will be particularly strengthened. Jesus is from the house of David and is God the Son. It is he who will go before the Jewish remnant. All the nations that come against Jerusalem at that time will be destroyed by Jesus (see Revelation 19:19-21). God the Father will pour out the Holy Spirit on the Jewish people, so that when they look on Jesus, "him whom they have pierced" (John 19:34), they will weep over him, realising he was and is the Messiah of Israel. It is then that Jesus will rescue the remnant of Israel from the nations allied against them.
As an application, I want to: (1) cultivate a deep longing for the return of Jesus; (2) take no part in any alliance against Israel; and (3) share the gospel message with Jewish people I meet, that they may believe in Jesus and be a part of the saved remnant of Israel.
Father, thank you that you have revealed the general contours of what will take place in the future. Thank you that you triumph over your enemies, and that good triumphs over evil. I look forward to Jesus' return, Lord. Please send your Spirit upon the Jewish people, that they may recognise Jesus is the one, the Messiah. May they turn to him and believe in him. Help me to be ready to share the gospel message with Jewish people I meet. Please bring back Israelis to New Zealand so we can share the gospel with them. Finally, Lord, thank you that you are the King of history and that you have all things under control. Help me to trust completely in you with great faith. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman