Divert from Reading Plan for Col. 1:24-2:3

Tomorrow at Women's Bible Study we will be looking at Colossians 1:24-2:3 together, and in preparation for that I am diverting from Malachi tonight to look at this portion of Paul's letter to the Christians in Colosse.

And we start off with a bang. I love to use this verse in opening up conversations with believers, just by asking "what do you think Colossians 1:24 means? Is there some lack in Christ?"

Well, one thing we know, this word afflictions is never used of the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Most commentators see this as a reference to the affliction Jesus endured in ministry. These afflictions are not yet complete, and in this sense Jesus still “suffers” as He ministers through His people, the Church.

Notice that Paul didn’t suffer for himself the way that an ascetic might. Instead he suffered for the sake of the body of Christ.

Ascetics focus on their holiness, on their spiritual growth, and on their perfection. Paul followed in the footsteps of Jesus, and was an others-centered person. Instead, Paul found holiness, spiritual growth, and maturity when he pursued them for others.

In the Biblical sense, a mystery is not a riddle. It is a truth that can only be known by revelation, not intuition. Now it can be known, because it now has been revealed to His saints.

The wonder and glory of the abiding, indwelling Jesus was not clearly revealed in the Old Testament - especially that He would abide in the Gentiles. Therefore, this aspect of the work of Jesus in His people was a mystery that wasn’t revealed until the time of Jesus and the apostles.

This is the Christian’s hope of glory. It isn’t our own hard work or devotion to God, or the power of our own spirituality. Instead, it is the abiding presence of Jesus: Christ in you.

This was the focus of Paul’s preaching. He didn’t preach himself, or his opinions, or even lots and lots of entertaining stories. He preached Jesus.

Some translate warning “counseling.” It means, “to impart understanding,” “to lay on the mind or the heart.” The stress is on influencing not only the intellect, but also the will and disposition. It describes a basic means of education.

The goal of Paul’s ministry was to bring people to maturity in Christ, not dependence upon himself.

Paul’s work was empowered by God’s mighty strength and energy. 

Chapter 2

This great conflict was inside Paul (I have for you). It wasn’t that Paul fought with others about the Colossian Christians. Paul described his spiritual warfare and heartfelt care for the Colossians as a great conflict. 

• Paul was concerned about their enthusiasm, because he longs that their hearts may be encouraged. Paul knew that discouraged, downcast Christians are easy prey for the world, the flesh, and the devil.
  
  
• Paul was concerned about their unity, because he wanted to see them being knit together in love. The unity wouldn’t come from coercion, but love.
  
  
• Paul was concerned about their understanding, because he wanted them to gain all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God.

The term mystery of God is used in a few different ways in the New Testament. Here, Paul uses the term regarding the character and person of God - something we could not know unless it were revealed by Him.

Real riches are found in the believer’s full assurance. 

It’s not wrong to seek after wisdom and knowledge; but we must seek it all in Jesus.

So much more to this portion, but I am struck foremost by the fullness we have in Jesus Christ, and not just in one arena, like spiritually, or mystically, or emotionally. But in every arena. ALL the FULLNESS dwells in Christ and He in us! O the riches!

Lord Jesus, thank You that when we suffer, You feel it, You are intimately acquainted with it. There is just something comforting about knowing we are that closely connected.

Also, Father, as St. Philip's attempts to go Beyond Ourselves and into the Bright Zone, I pray we would be faithful to Jesus and to them. That it would be more than just a social outreach, but like Paul, we would counsel, teach and proclaim the glorious riches of Christ! Equip us O Lord, and use us. 

I pray especially for the Birds, Brinkmans, Babbilis, Goforths, Harringtons, Harrisons, Lundes, Mazrie-Goltehebrath and Wintons. That You would be their Wonderful Counselor, their Prince of Peace, and Mighty God. We all need power during this time of our nation. We desire Your energy to be working in us! Give us a glimpse of what it is to be in conflict for someone else, rather than ourselves, by Your power. In Jesus' name, Amen!

God's Sacrifice of the Good Shepherd

Zechariah 12 ended with Israel’s return to the LORD through the once rejected but now embraced Messiah. And Zechariah 13 opens with the fountain flowing from their embrace of the Messiah. 

They now enjoy a fountain that brings cleansing for sin and for uncleanness. The cleansing comes after their mourning for the One whom they have pierced.

“According to the verse before us this provision is inexhaustible. There is a fountain opened; not a cistern nor a reservoir, but a fountain. A fountain continues still to bubble up, and is as full after fifty years as at the first; and even so the provision and the mercy of God for the forgiveness and the justification of our souls continually flows and overflows.” (Spurgeon--of course!)

Idolatry and false prophecy were the two principle ways Israel was led astray from God. God not only provides a fountain to cleanse, but He also promises to cut off the source of uncleanness - in this case, idolatry and false prophecy.

God promises ultimately to take away even the memory of our sin.

Zechariah prophesies a coming day when public opinion will not tolerate false prophets. There will be such a commitment to the LORD and His truth that even the family of a false prophet will condemn the false prophet.

The man accused of being a false prophet insists the scars on his body are not the self-inflicted wounds often associated with false prophets (1 Kings 18:28; Jeremiah 48:37), but merely the result of a brawl in his friend’s house. This unlikely, ironic explanation shows just how desperately people will avoid being identified with false prophets in this coming day Zechariah speaks of.

(Some take verse 6 as another Messianic prophecy in Zechariah, because Jesus was clearly wounded by those who should have been His friends. But the context demonstrates that this is about false prophets.)

But in the context starting in verse 7, and especially in light of the quotation of this passage in Matthew 26:31, we understand that the Shepherd is Jesus the Messiah - and it is God the Father Himself who calls for the Shepherd to be struck.

Zechariah relates a thought also said in Isaiah 53:10: 

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. 

The prophets Isaiah and Zechariah gloriously and emphatically, state that the suffering of the Servant of the Lord was ordained by the Lord. This was God’s doing! He gave the command to strike the Shepherd. Jesus was no victim of circumstance or at the mercy of political or military power. It was the planned, ordained work of the Lord God, prophesied by Isaiah hundreds of years before it happened. This was God’s victory, not Satan’s or man’s triumph.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:19, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The Father and the Son worked together at the cross. Though Jesus was treated as if He were an enemy of God, He was not. Even as Jesus was punished as if He were a sinner, He was performing the most holy service unto God the Father ever offered.

Jesus quoted from Zechariah 13:7 in Matthew 26:31 in reference to the scattering of His disciples during His arrest and suffering. There is also a sense in which the disciples were a type of Israel as a whole in being scattered.

Without Christ and His work on the cross, we are without a Shepherd and are lost and scattered. Thank God for His provision.

O Pierced Shepherd, we thank You for being willing to take the punishment that was our due. O bless the heart that planned it! We pray Lord that You would guide the Bright Zone outreach. We take confidence that it is from Your hand, that we should live Beyond Ourselves and minister to those in our neighborhoods during these hard times.

I pray especially for these families: Birds, Babbilis, Brinkmans, Lundes, Harrisons, Harringtons, Mazrie-Goltehebrah, Goforths and the Wintons. That any stress or pressure they may be experiencing would drive them to You. And that any joy or thanksgiving they may be experiencing would draw their hearts to You! Give guidance to the committee as to how we all can be a part of this outreach, and that we will all be willing to live Beyond Ourselves. In Jesus' name, amen!

Jehovah bade His sword awake;

O Christ, it woke ’gainst Thee!

Thy blood the flaming blade must slake;

Thine heart its sheath must be;

All for my sake, my peace to make;

Now sleeps that sword for me.

(Anne R. Cousin)

There is a fountain filled with blood,

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,

Lose all their guilty stains.

(William Cowper)

Foul, I to the Fountain fly;

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee.

(Augustus Toplady)

Look upon Him Whom they have pierced...& so will I

Zechariah 12 begins with praise for God’s creative power, reminding us that He is in control and completely able to accomplish what He predicts. 

And for those who believe in the mass conversion of Jews just prior to the physical return of Jesus to this earth, Zechariah 12 is their passage, along with Romans 11:26. 

But before we cover that, let me just go to the verse that strikes me most, verse 8. King David was renowned for his fighting ability, courage, and success. God promises that the weakest saint will be as mighty as David - and the leaders can only be compared in might to God! Even in our weakness in Christ, we are mightier than that mighty king of Israel, David!

Now, back to the Jews…Part of this great outpouring of strength and might to defend God’s people will be an outpouring of the Spirit - but also it will be of grace and supplication. God will move among Israel and bring saving grace and repentant prayer.

As Jerusalem is supernaturally defended and the Spirit is poured out on the nation, they will turn to Jesus, the pierced One. 

• His head was pierced with thorns, 
  
• His hands and feet were pierced with nails, 
  
• and a spear pierced His side.
  

They will look: They will turn away from their trust in the foolish, worthless shepherd and turn their focus on the Good Shepherd. When we see Jesus crucified - understanding why He went to the cross and what He accomplished there - we are drawn to Him in humble repentance (John 12:32). So am I.

Whom they pierced. They will realize that they did it, and that they bear responsibility - not sole responsibility, but responsibility nonetheless - for the crucifixion of their Savior. So do I.

They will mourn: The Jewish people will turn to Jesus in repentance, mourning their past rejection of Him. The mourning will be deep, as if for an only son, the firstborn. Firstborn was synonymous with the most beloved. So will I.

Spurgeon is by constant companion and by far my favorite preacher. He was the Billy Graham of the 1800's. He takes time to point out this nugget:

They will look . . . they will mourn: Here we see the pattern for coming to Jesus and true repentance. First we look to Jesus, then we mourn for our sins. Looking to Jesus must come first.

“A great mistake is very common among all classes of men - it is currently believed that we are first of all to mourn for our sins, and then to look by faith to our Lord Jesus Christ. Most persons who have any concern about their souls, but are not as yet enlightened by the Spirit of God, think that there is a degree of tenderness of conscience, and of hatred of sin, which they are to obtain somehow or other, and then they will be permitted and authorized to look to Jesus Christ. Now you will perceive that this is not according to the Scripture, for, according to the text before us. Men first look upon Him whom they have pierced, and then, but not till then, they mourn for their sin.”

“It is a beautiful remark of an old divine, that eyes are made for two things at least; first, to look with, and next, to weep with. The eye which looks to the pierced One is the eye which weeps for Him.” 

They will look upon Me: Comparing Zechariah 12:10 with Zechariah 12:1 and 12:3 (Thus says the LORD . . . says the LORD) makes it clear that the Me they look upon is the LORD God - Yahweh - Himself. This is astounding and wonderful evidence that Jesus the pierced One is God, and that Yahweh is the Triune God.

O Pierced One, thank You for taking the penalty my sin deserved and bearing them in Your body on the tree. That is the greatest act of love. It isn't so much the cross or the crucifixion or even what Mel Gibson portrayed in The Passion, but it is the pain of taking on the sins of the whole world into that sinless, pure, and perfect bosom and doing it all for me. My life cannot be radical enough for You, it can never compare to the radical extent You went to for me. Thank You so much.

I pray that the families in the Bright Zone will get to discover Your outrageous love, and if it be Your good will, that St. Philip's will get to be a part of that discovery! We pray that You will own this initiative of living Beyond Ourselves and bless all the families that live within the Ida Bright Elementary attendance zone. Especially the Babbilis, Birds, Brinkmans, Lundes, Harrisons, Harringtons, Mazrie-Goltehebrah, Goforths and Wintons. Thank You for Your sacred love, Amen!

The Price of a Dead Slave

Zechariah 11:1-3 is often understood to be yet another history lesson for us (though it was a future lesson when Zack spoke/wrote it!). 

Some would say it describes the events of 70 AD when Vespasian and Titus came down through Lebanon to destroy Israel and Judah and Jerusalem. These Romans destroyed Jerusalem after the Good Shepherd was crucified. 

(Josephus, who was Jew taken into Vespasian's family, recorded the whole event in his book called Wars of the Jews commissioned by Vespasian himself.)

But the rest of Zechariah 11 seems to be an allegory (difficult as it may be) that speaks of God fulfilling His promise. In it God speaks to a person yet unnamed (4) and tells him to pasture the flock "marked for slaughter." They are so marked by their own leaders, who think only of the profit they can gain by selling out their people (4-6).

But when the Good Shepherd comes to care for the flock, and "particularly for the oppressed of the flock," He is rejected! Though He rids them of false shepherds and seeks to guide them with grace (favor) and unity (union), He is detested by His sheep!

The first thing He does is remove three shepherds. Perhaps "these three shepherds should not be seen as three individuals but as three classes of individuals, namely: the prophets, priests, and kings of Israel.” (Boice) 

The offices of prophet, priest, and king were taken away from Israel after the Roman conquest of Judea and have never been restored - because they are now fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

But the sheep detest these acts, as well as the very Shepherd Himself. For His care for them, the only pay they offer is "thirty pieces of silver." 

Strikingly, this price is the amount set in Old Testament law as compensation to be paid for a dead slave (Exodus 21:32)! And the price of the Good Shepherd is thrown "into the house of the Lord to the potter" (13).

The Gospels present this passage as a prophecy about Jesus. 

• He came, announcing Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18). 
  
• But the flock He came to pasture detested Him. 
  
• The priests weighed out the price of a dead slave to Jesus' betrayer (Matthew 26:14-16). 
  
• And later, after Jesus' death, the coins were brought back by a remorseful Judas and thrown into the temple. 
  
• The chief priests picked up the coins and "decided to use the money to buy a potter's field as a burial place for foreigners" (Matthew 27:1-10). 
  
• Thus the words of Zechariah found fulfillment in Jesus, as did the similar prophecy of Jeremiah (32:6-9).
  

With the Good Shepherd slain, the staffs of grace and unity are broken. He is replaced by worthless shepherds (14-17).

And so this chapter ends with the death of the Good Shepherd. But His death is not the end, for evil has not and will not overcome!

Whew Lord Jesus! We do not want to treat Your provisions with such disdain. We rejoice with what You are doing, and what You are yet to do. Help us to join You and be a part of it, rather than criticize and crucify the vision before we even see what it is all about. We do not want to be guilty of doing the very thing the Jews were guilty of when they nailed You to the cross 2,000 years ago...rejecting the provision of Jehovah!

Father, bless the Beyond Ourselves effort as it seems to throb of the very heartbeat of Jesus, just by the mere fact that we are other-focused rather than self-focused. Guide St. Philip's exactly how they are to reach out to everyone in the Bright Zone, and raise up at least 300 people to be a part of this outreach!

I especially pray for the Harringtons, Harrisons, Goforths, Babbilis, Wintons, Lundes, Brinkmans and Mazrie-Goltehebrah. Lord, may these families be directly contacted and impacted by the Beyond Ourselves campaign and brought into a closer relationship with You! Amen!

Jesus Our Shepherd

We may have further history in Zechariah 10:1-12 as some say it is a reference to the successful stand made by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers against Antiochus around 165 BC. 

Israel had no irrigation system, and relied on rain to water their crops. In a time of drought, nothing grew - so Israel relied on both the former rain (falling in autumn) and the latter rain (falling in spring).

So when God says that He will give them showers of rain: The Lord is challenging His people saying, “Be bold enough to ask Me, and I will answer your prayer. I will provide what only I can provide.”

In man’s ideas of equality, often everyone ends up equally poor. But with God, His idea of equality means abundance for everyone. (10:1)

The people have listened to false and deceptive leaders, and part of the reason is because there is a lack of godly leadership. But God will make His people as royal horses in the battle. In mercy God will take His people and transform them from a flock of sheep to a herd of powerful horses, ready for service.

Though God is displeased with Israel’s shepherds, He will raise up the perfect Shepherd from and for Judah.

• Jesus is the cornerstone: the foundation, measure, and standard 
  (Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22-23, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:4-5).
• Jesus is the tent peg: holding all things securely 
  (Isaiah 22:23-24).
• Jesus is the battle bow: a strong fighter for good 
  (Isaiah 63:1-4, Revelation 19:11-16).
• Jesus is the leader over every ruler of His people
  (Revelation 19:16).
  

God has strengthened us, and will strengthen us. Ephesians 6:10 says that we can draw on His resources for strength: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

The availability of God’s strength means there will be opportunities for us to use it. “The Lord does not say, ‘I will take you away from your labors,’ but ‘I will strengthen you, so that you will be able to perform, them.’ ” (Spurgeon)

Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen St. Philip's as the partner with Frisco ISD to reach out to the Bright Zone, everyone who lives, works and worships in the Ida Bright Elementary School attendance area. I pray our focus in this area of Frisco will have a ripple effect for all Frisco, Collin County, Metroplex, Texas, USA, World. We want to dare to dream big, for without vision the people perish!

I especially for the Goforths, Harringtons, Harrisons, Lunde, Babbili, Wintons, Brinkman and Mazrie-Goltehebrah. May these difficult economic times drive them not to a bigger government (be that as it may) but rather to You Lord Jesus. May they know You as Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Provider!

Thank You for family, friends, and all the people you have put in my life. You sure so spoil me. Amen!

One Thing for Sure...He does Restore 2x as Much!

Zechariah 9 is loaded!

Some say it speaks against nations that follow Alexander the Great's path of destruction, thus making him the fulfillment of this chapter in 331 BC. It makes for some very interesting reading to cross these two elements: 

1. The Great Greek's conquering path & 
   
2. the nations and cities mentioned in Zechariah 9:1-8

especially when you consider that Alex spared Jerusalem (compare to 9:8)!

(See Josephus' interesting account of this in his eleventh book, Chapter 8, paragraph 4-5)

If the first eight verses are about Alexander's march through the regions surrounding Israel, it makes verse 9 all the more stark as it describes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem as "lowly and riding on a donkey!" (See Matthew 21 & John 12)

And ever since Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the Gospel has been riding on throughout the earth from sea to shining sea!

The rest of the chapter carries the idea that the Lord Himself leads the battle in the end. Both the Bible and the Koran have the idea of the holy war - which Islam calls Jihad - but there is a huge difference between the idea of the holy war in the Bible and in Islam. 

• Jesus alone carries out the Biblical holy war - never His people. 
  
• In Islam, the Jihad is the responsibility of every good Muslim.
  

God will, and does, protect His people who are covered by the blood of the Lamb. And we "will sparkle in His hand like jewels in a crown!" How precious is His mercy and grace!

Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering our hearts by Your love and beauty! Thank You for protecting Your house (for it is all of us). Father we ask that You would be just as zealous to protect Your name and reputation in our own lives.

Thank You especially for verse 12! 

Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; 

even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

To be Your captive is to be a "prisoner of hope!" And You do more than just doubly restore, You go so much beyond that in our lives. 

So I ask Lord, that we would live Beyond Ourselves, especially towards those who live in the Bright Zone. Help St. Philip's be a world-changing factor for the Bright Zone. Be with the leaders tonight as they unveil our intention in this outreach. I pray that the Harrington family will be one of many who are impacted by this ministry.

And help me to successfully and purposefully get into prison, as You deem best. We love You Lord. Amen.

Bright Zone

St. Philip's is focusing their efforts on the people who live and work in the Bright Zone. And just what is the Bright Zone?

Frisco ISD has divvied up the area into 27 regions identified by Elementary schools. The region where St. Philip's exists is named after the school that St. Phil's had its start...Ida Lee Bright Elementary (or Bright for short!)

As you can see on this map, it is located in the heart of Frisco going from Main street south to Stonebrook, and from Preston to the Tollway (with a little westward peninsula that encompasses St. Philip's!) 

(Coordinates = LY-LZ:511-512)

It also is one of the most, if not the most, impoverished region of all 27 districts. Instead of a building campaign, St. Philip's is going to focus on a people campaign, that of reaching out to everyone who lives and works in the Bright Zone for the Lord!

Growing Faith that Impacts the Bright Zone for Christ!

Step One to Step Twelve

Zechariah 8 continues to answer the inquiry made at the beginning of chapter 7 of whether or not we should continue to remember the sins of our past that took us into a 70-year captivity! You just gotta love this chapter!

Truth and Love Must Prevail

The Lord declares that His passionate love for Israel has not diminished.

A series of sayings of the Lord assures His people that they are the objects of His love. The hard-heartedness of their fathers in 7:11-14 has not swayed the Lord from His commitment to Jerusalem and her people.

Zechariah describes at length the prosperity awaiting the chosen city. The Lord had returned to dwell there (and where ever the Lord is there is freedom and transformation), and the old men and women who were at the end of life should join with happy boys and girls who were at the beginning in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace. 

So entirely would the memory of the past be obliterated that fateful anniversaries would soon fade from their minds. Indeed they would discover that their dark days had been the source and origin of their glad ones.

One last thought from Dr. James Boice regarding the last verse:

“We are all clinging to the seamless robe of that one Jew, Jesus of Nazareth, who because of His work on the cross is the only basis on which anyone may approach God and entreat Him for spiritual blessings.” 

Lord, we are so thankful that you can even redeem our poor choices and use them for good. It takes no great God to use good people who always makes the right choices. But what a marvellously gracious and powerful God You are, that can take rebels, self-willed, constantly-finding-trouble, children and use them to minister to others. 

I pray for all those who trapped by addictions and are working the 12 step program. Let them discover how You can turn their powerlessness into a care and compassion and ministry to others. 

We pray for those who meet at St. Philip's for AA, and that anyone in the Bright Zone who struggles with powerlessness, that they would come and see Your transforming power in their lives. I pray that if the Harrington's are experiencing any captivity or bondage, that You will be their Savior and Deliverer! Amen

Focusing on Past Sins tends towards Self-indulgence

Zechariah 7 starts off with a delegation being sent, apparently from Babylon to Jerusalem with, of all things, a question about fasting. At this point, the temple was somewhere around halfway completed.

There are seven feasts that the Jews observed during their captivity, four of which recalled the destruction of the temple and their captivity:

• 1) First enclosure of Jerusalem by the enemies' lines
  
• 4) the capture of the city
  
• 5) destruction by fire of the Temple
  
• 7) murder of Gedaliah.
  

The national life was depressed by this constant memory of disaster. These men knew that during their forced exile in Babylon they observed these feasts that remembered the tragic fall of Jerusalem. 

But now since God’s people were back in the land and the temple was nearly rebuilt, they wanted to know if it was appropriate to continue to these fasts of mournful remembrance.

(The matter brings up an issue relevant today: How long should we remember and mourn over our past? Should we do things to remember either our sin or the tragedies of the past?)

So representatives were sent to ask the views of the leaders. 

The delegation is not answered directly. Instead a word from God comes to Zechariah "to all the people of the land to the priests" (4). 

What is the purpose of their fasting? Is it really for the Lord? Or is it an expression of their own needs, like eating and drinking? Fasting must not be motivated by self-interest but by concern for the glory of God (4-7).

(This also shows us that when we cling to the memory of sin or tragedy in the past, we often do it out of simple self-indulgence. We do it for our self, not for the Lord.

Instead of actively remembering the sin or tragedy of the past, God wants us to focus on active obedience and an active walk with Him. 

“There is no need to observe the sad anniversaries of our sins and their accompanying punishment, if once we are assured of God’s free forgiveness. When He forgives and restores, the need for dwelling on the bitter past is over . . . Too many of us are always dwelling beside the graves of the dead past.” (Meyer))

Then in a second word from God, Zechariah calls on Israel to recognize the basic issue facing them. God's real concern, as shown in the history of Judah before her fall, is that His people "administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." 

What God wants is that they "do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of one another." (9-10) Some among the people of God found it easier to fast a few days a year instead of truly treating others in a godly way. 

The issue is not fasts, but the willingness of this people to commit to a life that pleases God.

Interesting progression is mentioned in verses 11-12:

Refused to heed . . . shrugged their shoulders . . . stopped their ears . . . made their hearts like flint: 

Zechariah vividly describes a progression of rejection. It begins with simply refusing to heed God, then a self-justifying shrugging of their shoulders, then stopping their hears. It all ends with hearts as hard as flint.

Their disobedience and disregard for God led to scattering and desolation. This is always our fate when we allow religious rituals to take the place of a real relationship with God.

Lord Jesus, we hunger for a real relationship. Deliver us, or prevent us, from being ensnared by activities, rituals and past sins. We want to focus on You and Your word for us. 

You say You have a plan and a future for us, one of hope and brightness. Because You have cleansed us and forgiven us, help us to focus on You and strive towards the goal of this bright vision. I pray this for us as individuals, and also for us as a church. May we walk in obedience by showing mercy and compassion especially to the people in the Bright Zone.

May the Harringtons be recipients of Your mercy and grace through us. And if they be anywhere in this progression of rejection, that You would intervene and soften their hearts to You. Thank You for Your guidance, love and deliverance. Amen.

Prophet, Priest, King and All Good Things!

In chapter 6, Zechariah concludes with the eighth vision and then gives a glimpse of brighter things to come.

Zechariah 6:1-8

The Vision of the Chariots

This is a vision of protection and deliverance. Four chariots issue from the mountains around Jerusalem (Perhaps Mt. Zion & Mt of Olives). 

The colors of the mountains indicate judgement as well as the colors of the horses commissioned to execute against judgement against the nations. We see these steeds (or similar ones) again in Revelation 6!

“In the usual Scriptural symbolism red speaks of war, black of famine and death, white of victory, and grizzled ofpestilence (Ezekiel 14:21; Revelation 6:18).” (Luck)

Father, allow us to be messengers of Your grace and love. That because of our sharing of free grace of Jesus Christ there would be no need for the four horses of judgement to be dispatched! Help us to think radically like that, especially as we minister to the Bright Zone...what if everyone who lives in the Bright Zone were to have a loving relationship with You? Grant us vision and zeal, O Lord! Amen!

Zechariah 6:9-15

The Priest Crowned King

Note the closing incident, which foreshadowed the union of the offices of priesthood and kingship in the person of our Lord. 

According to Zechariah 3:8, Joshua stands symbolically in these visions "for things to come," and especially for the promised Branch (Messiah). 

The picture is one of a union between the office of priest and that of king in a single individual. When He comes to "be a priest on His throne," the final and true temple of the Lord will be erected.

The uniqueness and unusualness of this dual office is clearly told in 2 Chronicles 26 which tells the tragic story of King Uzziah who tried to function as a priest, and was stricken with leprosy to the end of his life. Through the history of Israel God commanded a separation between the religious and the civil leadership of Israel.

Taking the meaning of the names:

• Heldai means robust, 
  
• Tobijah means God’s goodness, and 
  
• Jedaiah means God knows, 
  

J. Vernon McGee sees the intention that "God knows that through His goodness, He will put His king on the throne, and He will do it in a robust manner."

We already saw this Branch in Zechariah 3:8, and it is a familiar title for the Messiah (Isaiah 4:2 and 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5 and 33:15). 

The Branch is associated with fruitfulness and life. Jesus used the same image when He said that He was the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5).

Behold, the Man: “In the Hebrew text the prophecy begins ‘Behold the Man,’ the very words Pilate used to present the beaten Christ to the people of Jerusalem: ‘Ecce homo!’ “ (Boice) 

But in Zechariah’s vision it isn’t the humiliated Jesus we are asked to behold, it is the triumphant Jesus. 

Jesus shall build the temple of the Lord: The Branch will rebuild the temple - not the same temple Zerubbabel worked on, but the temple of His people (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:5).

Jehovah Tsidkenu, The Lord our Righteousness, thank You for being for us our Prophet, Priest and King. You are all things to us. Help us to look to You to fill every capacity in our lives. There is no void You cannot fill! I pray Lord that every member of St. Philip's will discover more of who You are and bask in the wonder of it all. And then joyfully share it with others. Grant us uncommon grace during these troubling times. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Prophet, Priest and King

Join all the glorious names

Of wisdom, love, and power,

That ever mortals knew,

That angels ever bore:

All are too mean to speak His worth,

To poor to set my Savior forth.

Great Prophet of my God,

My tongue would bless Thy Name,

By Thee the joyful news

Of our salvation came,

The joyful news of sin forgiv’n

Of hell subdued, and peace with Heav’n.

Jesus, my great High Priest,

Offered His blood, and died;

My guilty conscience seeks

No sacrifice beside:

His powerful blood did once atone,

And now it pleads before the throne.

My dear almighty Lord,

My Conqueror and my King,

Thy scepter and Thy sword,

Thy reigning grace I sing:

Thine is the power; behold I sit

In willing bonds beneath Thy feet.

Now let my soul arise,

And tread the tempter down;

My Captain leads me forth

To conquest and a crown:

A feeble saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.

Sin Purged

Zechariah gives us two more of his visions in chapter 5, visions 6 & 7.

Zechariah 5:1-7
The Vision of the Flying Roll

This huge sheet of parchment, 30' x 15', was covered with the solemn curses of the Law, 

1. on one side against the thief and 
   
2. on the other against false swearing. 
   

These two sins may have prevelant in this young community or it could just be a way of noting the Ten Commandments, one from each side of the tablets. For 

1. to steal was to injure your neighbor; 
   
2. to perjure was to dishonor God, because you had sworn in his name. 
   

Lord, keep St. Philip's pure and truthful, a generous giver, never accused of stealing or deceptive behavior. Keep the church above reproach especially as it strives to raise money to impact the lives of people in the Bright Zone. 

Just an FYI: The dimensions of the holy place in the tabernacle and of the porch of Solomon’s temple was 30' x 15'.

Zechariah 5:5-11
The Vision of the Basket

The woman, the basket, and the weight are associated with wickedness. They personify greed, materialism, and dishonesty for profit. Zechariah prophesied to those who returned from the Babylonian exile. God’s people came back from Babylon with a materialism problem, and this vision speaks to this problem.

Zechariah sees this personification of wicked materialism being locked into a large container used to measure out grain, and carried away back to Babylon by two angels. Earlier God's people had been carried captive to Babylon because of their wickedness. 

In the future God will separate His people from evil, and it is evil that is taken captive and sent far away into exile.

Lord Jesus, how infiltrating these sins can be, as we disguise them with terms like stewardship, blessings and shrewd dealings. Protect us from ourselves and our selfishness. Help to be giving and living Beyond Ourselves. I pray you will protect the Harringtons from being taken up with these worry-produced, joy-robbing vices but rather lead them to You. Oh to fall headlong in love with You! Amen.

Just an FYI: This portion is the only place, I think, that we find any idea of female angels!

...But By My Spirit!

Zechariah 4

Not by Might (collective strength)

Not by Power (individual strength)

But by My Spirit, saith the Lord (God's strength)!

Zerubabbel had faltered in the great work of reconstrcution and had practically lost heart. Here he is encouraged to renew his efforts and persevere until the task is finished. 

He might be weak and worn, but none of his deficiencies could hinder him from finishing his lifework, if only his spirit was kindled with divine fire and fed by the grace of the Holy Spirit! 

Let us never despise the days of small things, for from them God can build the great!

FYI: Just a note I once saw, as to why the oil is a good picture of the Spirit:

• Oil lubricates when used for that purpose - there is little friction and wear among those who are lubricated by the Spirit of God
  
• Oil heals and was used as a medicinal treatment in Biblical times (Luke 10:34) - the Spirit of God brings healing and restoration
  
• Oil lights when it is burned in a lamp - where the Spirit of God is there is light
  
• Oil warms when it is used as fuel for a flame - where the Spirit of God is there is warmth and comfort
  
• Oil invigorates when used to massage - the Holy Spirit invigorates us for His service
  
• Oil adorns when applied as a perfume - the Holy Spirit adorns us and makes us more pleasant to be around
  
• Oil polishes when used to shine metal - the Holy Spirit wipes away our grime and smoothes out our rough edges
  

Lord Jesus, we definitely want to be a people energized and fueled by the Spirit of God. You mention the work of two anointed ones in this chapter that stand to serve You. I pray that St. Philip's would plug into the power of Your Spirit and also be as one of the two anointed ones (olive trees) ministering to others. 

Bless the efforts in the Bright Zone, and with those who are unemployed (that You would be their joy), and especially for the Harrington family. The whatever situation they are in, that it would drive them to You. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, my beauty are, my royal dress

Love, Love, Love chapter three, probably because I feel like a brand plucked from the fire!

Zechariah 3

Purified for God's Service

The regulation for the maintenance of the priesthood had fallen into disuse, and they had neither robes, vessels, nor proper provisions or offerings. Probably also the spiritual life of the priests was at a very low ebb (Malachi 1 - 2). 

Satan is always discovering the weak spots in character and thrusting at them. He is keen as steel and cruel. But we have One who pleads. He ever lives to make intercession for us. "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan."

We are brands scorched and charred with the burning. But we have been plucked out of the consuming flame. Surely then we are being kept for some high and useful purpose. All the past is an arugment for faith. That God has done so much is a pledge that He will perfect that which concerns us, because His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 138:8)

What a blessing to have the filthy garments removed and to be clothed by God's righteousness in Christ Jesus! It is not enought to be cleaned from sin. Whom He justifies, He also glorifies. let us be content with nothing short of God's best and fullness!

Zinzendorf's hymn states it so conscisely http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/t/jtbloodr.htm

Lord, we have all been charred one way or another, and find ourselves sitting in filthy garments. How thankful we are for our royal robe of righteousness found in Christ Jesus. Each morning as we dress ourselves, help us to remember what a blessing it is to be made pure by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. 

I pray that You will empower St. Philip's to be a faithful minister of this wonderful Gospel, and that specifically, the Bright Zone and the Harrington family will experience deliverance from the flame and purity in Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen!

God's Protection, Affection & Direction

Woops! Looks like St. Philip's is skipping along 2 chapters at a time now, and so I missed chapter two yesterday, and have chapters 3 and 4 of Zechariah today!! I'll post them one chapter at a time, and see how far we get! So, put on your running shoes and reading glasses!

Zechariah 2 

God's Protection of His People

Now Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line. He is about to survey the city of Jerusalem. But Zack's angel guide sends another angel to hurry after this man with good news. 

God promises to bring so many people to Jerusalem that the crowds will overflow the walls of the city - but that won’t matter because God will be their protection, not walls. God Himself will "be a wall of fire around it", and "I will be its glory within."  

The phrase “apple of His eye” was used to describe something precious, easily injured and demanding protection. Spurgeon puts it this way:

“He esteems [us] as much as men value their eyesight, and is as careful to protect [us] from injury, as men are to protect the apple of their eye. The pupil of the eye is the tenderest part of the tenderest organ, and very fitly sets forth the inexpressible tenderness of God’s love.”

Not only will He protect us, but He will be among us in a unique and powerful way.

FYI: This is the only place where the phrase Holy Land is used in the Bible. The land is holy because it is separated unto God in a unique way. In the same exact way, we can be holy, set apart for God to use exactly as He sees fit!

Lord, let us see what it would look like to overflow the walls of St. Philip's, and to be assured of Your protection, affection and direction. May we have the same exuberance and fortitude as this man with the measuring stick seems to have. I pray Lord that you will make the Harrington family the apple of Your eye and bring them into Your Holy Land, as it were. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Rebuilding Our Relationship with God

The book of Zechariah is one of the two key books of Old Testament prediction that are primary sources for the symbolism of Revelation.

The prophet Zechariah lived at the same time as Haggai and was interested in the same effort: to induce the Jews to carry on the rebuilding of their neglected Temple. 

But if all we had was Haggai to go by, we might conclude that all God was really interested in was the temple. However, Zechariah gives the rest of the story, and shows how God is interested in lives, not only buildings. It is so ironic how parallel this is with our call to live Beyond Ourselves and to minister to people instead of erecting buildings!

The prophecies of Zechariah are dated a few years later than those of Haggai. In contrast to the direct and simple language of Haggai, Zechariah employs many figures and symbols to enforce his message. 

He especially wished to give encouragement and help to the leader and governor of the people, Zerubbabel, and the priest, Joshua. I’m challenged to consider how I can be an encouragement to the priest/pastor at St. Philip’s especially during these community-wide difficult times.

In the latter part of the book there are many pictures of the glorious and happy future which God had in store for His people and of the Deliverer Who was to come to rule over them. There will come a great day when “the Lord shall be king over all the earth.”

The name Zechariah means “The LORD Remembers,” and is a fitting name for a prophet of restoration. 

• He was called to encourage and mobilize God’s people to accomplish a task that they began yet lost momentum in completing. 
  
• He encourages them indirectly by telling them about God’s care for them and by keeping the presence of the Messiah very much in their minds. 
  
• He worked with others, notably Haggai, Zerubbabel, and Ezra. 
  
• He warned them of the consequences of neglecting God’s work and he emphasized that God wants to do a work through His people. 
  

Let us pray the Holy Spirit will jump start us with divine momentum yet again as we forge ahead into our next seven years at St. Philip’s!

Zechariah is shown eight visions in the first 6 chapters. In them he is not a passive observer. He is actively involved and free to question the angel God has provided as a guide. The meaning of most of these visions is explained in their context. Their focus is God’s intention for Jerusalem and Judea as history moves on and as the end time comes. Many of these themes are picked up in Revelation. Two of these visions are in chapter one.

1:1-17 

A Vision of Pardon and Restoration

Zechariah does not slur over the sins of the past, but lays stress on divine forgiveness. His only fear is lest God should call in vain and the people refuse as their fathers did. 

Notice the repetition of God’s title Lord Almighty five times in the first six verses. The enemy’s armies were vast, but the protecting hosts vaster! A glimplse of these hosts is given in the following vision. 

A green valley filled with myrtles, the emblem of humility, where the prophet may have spent his time meditating, seemed alive with mysterious horsemen who had been patrolling the earth. The four report to the angel of the Lord that the world is at rest and peace. This is not good news for Judea. 

Haggai proclaimed just a few months before that the nations must be shaken before Messiah comes and Jerusalem’s peace is assured. God is angry with the nations of the world because they are at ease while God’s people suffer. 

In God’s thinking if the earth is at rest at the expense of His people, there is no rest at all. Sure, the nations offered to help God’s people, but even their help was polluted by evil motives.

But in all this, God reassures the prophet. God does care deeply (“is very jealous”) for Jerusalem and Judah. And He is angry with the nations that have been their persecutors. God will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and goodness will overflow.

God solemnly promises to restore Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. This was an especially comforting promise considering the lowly condition of the cities of the Promised Land in Zechariah’s day.

About four years from the time of this prophecy Zion was comforted and Jerusalem was specially chosen - the temple was rebuilt four years after Zechariah gave this prophecy.

In 1:18-21 

A Vision of Being Rescued

In the second vision Zach sees four horns that most people say represent the world powers that will hold political domination over Jerusalem. The horn symbolism is used in the same way in Daniel 7 & 8.

Zechariah also sees four craftsmen/carpenters. These are workmen, bearing heavy hammers or chisels, whose function it is to throw down the “horns of the nations” that have acted against Jerusalem. 

Thus God shall rescue His people from their oppressors as history marches towards its intended end. God promises to break the power of those who use their power against God’s people. But as Romans 12 warns, vengenance is the Lord's. It is God that shall do the rescueing from our oppressors!

Lord of hosts, God Almighty, thank You for what You are doing at St. Philip's an for the series of Beyond Ourselves. I pray that more opportunities will open up a Dawson, not only in 8a but throughout the whole jail, men and women. Grant that I might be able to get connected with Stek in exactly the place You have for me. 

Also, just as You were able to infuse divine momentum into the weary and impoverished Jews to rebuild the temple and their relationships with You, be with St. Philip's as we reach out to the people in the Bright Zone. I pray you will bless Harrington/family and draw them to Yourself. Encourage Clay and the rest of the staff, that joy would be their portion. We love You Lord. Amen.