Read Zechariah 8:20-23
There’s a lot of responsibility involved when you follow Jesus. I want to be seen as someone who knows Jesus. For Zechariah’s audience of Jews, this message was especially personal to them. Can you imagine how you’d feel if someone came up to you and said, “Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”
What would your response be? “Absolutely!” Or would you look over your shoulder thinking they were talking to someone else? Shepherding a new believer is always a privilege. It’s not hard. You just have to remember what it was like to be a new believer and try not to over-stimulate them with exuberant faith!
People are watching us now and according to what God said through Zechariah, they were watching the Jews then. The blessings from God are obvious. When seen together with the obedience and reverence given back to God in return, there’s no doubt God was with them.
God tells us that people will unite and come together in that day. “People from nations and cities around the world will travel to Jerusalem.” The location was important for Zechariah’s first audience returning to Jerusalem, their ancient holy city. Do you think we all need to trek to Jerusalem some day? Will there be a grand march into the city?
Current day Jerusalem is a center for many religions, not just Jews and Christians. Is that alone fulfillment of this prophecy? I feel like there is a lot more to God’s message than that. It seems the motivation for going to Jerusalem was to be blessed by God. Almost as if that is the only place on earth where blessings would be handed out.
Jesus gave us access to the Father and his blessings. Accordingly, we’re being watched just as carefully. As a pastor’s family, I felt like we lived in a glass house at times. People always seemed to know our business. The children especially struggled with that. Especially when they were trying to understand who God designed them to be. We never want to stumble “in public” view.
The prophecy makes it clear that God loves everyone and is building a new community of believers. This harmonious group will enjoy peace, prosperity, and fellowship with God. Doesn’t this community sound like a good place to be? It was meant to be attractive to outsiders, welcoming them to be included.
God is with YOU. In Jesus Christ. How do you respond to that?
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, you are mighty and full of grace. I am forever grateful for all the blessings you have given me so far in my life. I know many of those blessings I have taken for granted. Please forgive me. It is such an honor to be your servant. I love when people recognize that. Give me the right words to encourage others into a relationship with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
