Tuesday: The One Pierced
Zechariah chapters 12-14 reveal several things that could have happened had Israel been faithful to God.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
First, the Lord would have brought total victory over the powers of evil and the hostile nations that had tried to oppose His plan of salvation (Zech. 12:1-9). Although Jerusalem was to be God’s instrument toward this triumph, the victory itself would have come from the Lord’s intervention. In the end, the enemy would have been utterly defeated and destroyed.
Zechariah 12:10 marks the transition of the movement from physical deliverance, from what would have happened had Israel been faithful, to spiritual deliverance of God’s faithful people. Following the victory, God’s people would embrace their Lord. God’s Spirit of grace and supplication would be poured on the leaders and the people. This convicting work of the Spirit would result in far-reaching repentance and spiritual revival, something that our church itself is seeking.
As God pours out His Spirit, His people look upon the One whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as one mourns the death of an only son. The original Hebrew word for “pierced” always describes some type of physical violence, usually resulting in death (Num. 25:8, 1 Sam. 31:4). The poignancy of people’s grief is heightened by the realization that their own sins caused Jesus Christ’s death.
Read Zechariah 12:10. How did the apostle John connect this passage with Christ’s crucifixion and His second coming? SeeJohn 19:37, Rev. 1:7.
Interestingly enough, one traditional Jewish interpretation holds that this verse points to the experience of the Messiah. They are, of course, right: it is talking about Jesus and His death on the cross (compare with Isaiah 53).
“The scenes of Calvary call for the deepest emotion. Upon this subject you will be excusable if you manifest enthusiasm. That Christ, so excellent, so innocent, should suffer such a painful death, bearing the weight of the sins of the world, our thoughts and imaginations can never fully comprehend.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 213. How can you grow in your appreciation of what His death means to you and what it offers you?
Spend more time at the foot of the Cross. Glory in the the cross, then you can’t help but grow in appreciation of what His death means to you. You will thus have no problem telling others what Christ has done for you. Spending a thoughtful hour on the life of Christ helps you grow into a relationship with Him that neither life nor death, can sever. We pray the Lord’s prayer, “deliver us from the evil one”. Don’t you think this is more plausable if we heed the above instruction?
It is a constant reminder in my daily life. In everything I do, I keep this loving sacrifice always in mind. I am so grateful for the love of God, it offers me hope that one day, I will see GOD. It gives me courage to face my trials and accept my triumphs.
We too have victory over death through the one who was pierced b’se of our sins. His victory is ours when we believe and abide by his commands. Let us put our trust in the lord not only wil he give us victory over death, but also through our daily chores and problems on this earth. “He is faithful”
Through the death of Christ know we are victors if only we admit that Christ died because of my sins and your sins, but nevertheless through doing good we are counted the princes of heaven.
2 peter 3:9
It was good though painfull to suffer and die for us,to redeem us. Had He not died what would become of us? Now thru His shed blood we hope for the eternal life with Him in the New Earth. His scars shows His true Love for us.