Jesus in the Old Testament, Zechariah

Jesus in Zechariah

Jesus made this Statment.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me,"

As Haggai Prophesied about the Temple and the "religious state" of God's chosen people, Zechariah's main concern was for the Jew and the coming Messiah. Some call the Book of Zechariah the ''Revelation of the Old Testament." He also saw the future of Israel and the Gentile Nations, to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom.

Now, this can be a difficult Book to understand with all the Symbols. In the first six Chapters, Zechariah recorded eight visions he had seen. All of which were about Israel. Let us try to briefly go over some of the Symbols.

A rider on a Red Horse among the Myrtle Trees depicts Israel in dispersion but not forgotten.
The four Horns were the Four World Empires that have attacked and scattered Israel
The four Carpenters represented the destruction of Gentile control and supremacy over Israel
The Measuring Line represented Israel's future prosperity
Joshua standing before God and Satan hurdling accusations, Israel cleansed and restored
The Candlestick? Israel as God's Light-bearer.
The flying Roll was illustrating the reign of Divine Law on the earth.
Finally, the four Chariots, showing the coming judgment upon the earth.

Chapter Seven opens with a Call Justice and Mercy.

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

Jesus said this to us when someone asked Him the greatest of all the Commandments.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Read that Passage from Zechariah. It can be summed up quite nicely with "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Then in Chapter Eight, We read this.

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

What is the man's name in that Robe? Jesus. In Chapter Nine, we read this.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." Zechariah 9:9

Stop. We saw this fulfilled here.

"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”" Mark 11:1-10

We go on in Zecharaiah to read how Jesus will come and end all Sin and War, and He will Save His people.

"Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.

On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women." Zechariah 9:14-17

Remember when Jesus told us the Parable of the Wheat and Tares? He later explained it this way.

"The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:37-43

Look at this. Are you ready? Look at this.

"So it was annulled on that day, and the sheep traders, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter."

Remember, it was 30 pieces of Silver that were the cost of betrayal. It was exactly 30 pieces of Silver. Then when Judas regretted it, he threw the Silver back to the Priests, and what happened?

"But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day."

Then go to Chapter Thirteen.

"“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones."

This is a clear picture of the night Jesus is betrayed.

"And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled." Mark 14:41-50

Then we wrap up Zechariah with the coming of the "Day of Our Lord." The return of Christ.

"And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one." Zechariah 14:9

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

We Are The Poor, Maimed, Halt, And The Blind

We are the Bums in the Street.

Why are we here? Seriously. I'm asking you. Why are we here? Why do we go to this building called a Church? Why are we reading the Bible? Why would we Pray to accept someone, Jesus, who called us Dogs, and Pigs? Oh you didn't know this? Yup. Jesus, called you, unless you are Jewish, a Pig and a Dog.

You see, Jesus did not come for you. He wanted nothing to do with you. Remember when the Woman, who was not Jewish, tried to talk to Him? First He attempted to ignore her, then when she persisted, He said this..

{Matthew 15:24}

"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

In Mark we see that when she still persisted, He said this..

{Mark 7:27}

"Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."

When He sent out the Twelve, He told them to stay away from us.

{Matthew 10:5-7}

"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

So why are you here? Why do you go to Church? Why do you care about a Lord who called you Pigs {Matthew 7:6} and Dogs. Who told us plainly, He did not come for us. Why do you think for one second, that He would even think about Saving you? Who do you think you are? The Jews are now, have always been, and always will be, God's chosen people. Are you Jewish? No? Then are you not wasting your time?

You know who we are? We are the Poor, Maimed, Halt, and the Blind. We are the Bums on the street. We are the Pigs and the Dogs that Jesus called us. We are not God's Chosen People. Who are we? We are the step Children. We are the Adopted Children. We are the "Other Sheep."

{John 10:16}

" And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

So what happened? How did we go from Pigs and Dogs, to being called Children of God? The answer is simple. It is not liked. It is not appreciated. Some become offended if you tell them. But it is what it is. We benefited, because those Jesus did come for, said "No." They rejected Him. So? God opened it up to all. The Word even tells us, that Jesus Himself, is a stumbling Stone.

{1 Peter 2:4-8}

"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."

You see, because God made the Way of Salvation so simple, and the fact that those He made the Way for, decided to reject it, God opened it up to us all. God called His Chosen people to Salvation. They rejected His calling. So He in turn, called us. Jesus tells us this in His Parable of the Banquet Dinner

{Luke 14:16-23}

"A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

WE are the Poor, Maimed, Halt, and the Blind. We are the Bums on the street. We are the others. We are those that benefited from the original Guests rejecting the invitation. Notice here that this is the same invitation that the Jews received. We must do the same thing that they were told to do. Then we become one with them. We become adopted into the Family of God.

{Romans 1:16}

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

See, what they had, we now can have. What they knew, we can now know. The Word of God was given to them. But now, the Word of God, Jesus's Sacrifice, and God's Grace, is for all who believe.

{Romans 3:1-2}

"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God."

However, because they rejected God, God made His Word available to all who seek it..

{Romans 16:25-27}

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."

Through accepting Jesus, we, the "non-Jews," the "Gentiles," the "uncircumcised," can now become Children of God.

{ Ephesians 2:12-13}

"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."

So now there is no difference. We are all one in the Family of God. You can not differentiate between a Jew, and Non-Jew, Black , White, Male, Female, Rich, Poor, or anything else. As we grow in Christ, we all should assimilate. We need to all come together as one.

{Romans 15:27}

"It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things."

WE are Children of God. WE are now Princes and Princesses of Heaven. WE are the Church. There is no other. WE are it. God chose you to be a part of it. Jesus died, yet rather, raised from the dead on the third day for us. WE, having received that, MUST be obedient is the ways of God. We went from Bums, and Wretches, to Children of the Most High God. Is that not reason enough, all by itself, to DO what He tells us to do? To follow Him? Learn from Him? Be obedient to Him? We are here, because God chose us to be here.

Accepting the Gift of Salvation is easy. All you need to do is accept Jesus's Sacrifice for you. Be Baptized the way Jesus told us too. Say this Prayer

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} Now you need to learn, what God is all about. You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10} BE the Child of God you have become.

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..