Christ in Zechariah

~ Jesus Christ Is Smitten Shepherd ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Jesus Christ is found in the Book of Zechariah as our Fountain, as the Righteous Branch (3:8; 6:12; 6:13; 9:9; 12:10; 14:9), as Yahweh’s Servant, the King-Priest, the gentle King, and the Smitten Shepherd.  He is the One wounded in the house of His friends.  He is the fountain which opened up in the house of David for the cleansing of all forms of sin.

The Smitten Shepherd  ~  “‘Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones’” (Zechariah 13:7).  “Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”  But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee’” (Matthew 26:31-32).  “Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”  But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee’” (Mark 14:27-28).

The King—Priest  ~  In the time of Zechariah Joshua was the high priest.  Joshua’s root name in Greek can be translated in English as Jesus.  The names Joshua and Jesus include the meaning of “the Lord saves.”

Zechariah is commanded by our Lord to make a crown and put it on the head of Joshua—the priest.  This is significant since kings and priests were from separate tribes in that day (Judah and Levi respectively).  This fact provides insight to the following passage: “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Receive the gift from the captives—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.  Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.  Then speak to him, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH!  From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the Lord; yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord.  He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne [both priest and king], and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’  Now the elaborate crown shall be for a memorial in the temple of the Lord for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.  Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the Lord.  Then you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.  And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Zechariah 6:9-15). 

The Gentle King  ~  Jesus Christ is described in the New Testament as the gentle and righteous King riding on a donkey.  “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).  “Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.  Loose them and bring them to Me.  And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord has need of them,” and immediately he will send them.’  All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘Tell the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey”’” (Matthew 21:1-5).  Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt’” (John 12:14-15).

of particular note:  The first coming of The Messiah was in lowliness as noted above as “The Gentle King” (Zechariah 9:9).

The Messiah is the Prince of Peace (Zechariah 9:10).

The Messiah was crucified (Zechariah 12:10).

The Messiah was a Shepherd who was forsaken by His sheep as noted above “The Smitten Shepherd” (Zechariah 13:7).

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in Zechariah. 

additional comment:  Compare these passages from Scripture.

Zechariah 3:2 – Jude 9

Zechariah 8:8 – 2 Corinthians 6:16

Zechariah 8:16 – Ephesians 4:25

Zechariah 11:12 – Matthew 27:9

Zechariah 12:10 – John 19:37

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Messiah, 242

~ Messiah Would Be Killed Before the Destruction of the Second Temple ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.  And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.  The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.  Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate” (Daniel 9:24-27).

The Messiah 

Matthew records what Jesus said, “‘Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.  And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.  Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.  Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand) ‘then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains’” (Matthew 24:9-16).

Mark records what Jesus said, “‘So when you see the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not’ (let the reader understand), ‘then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains’” (Mark 13:14).

Luke records the words of Jesus, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near” (Luke 21:20).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Football Terms

~ Football Terms Applied To The Congregation! ~

The following definitions are from an unknown source.

Backfield In Motion  ~  Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the church service.

Bench Warmer  ~  Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything in the church but sit, soak, and sour.

Blitz  ~  The rush for the restaurants following the benediction.

Draw Play  ~  What many children do with the church bulletin during the service.

End Run  ~  Getting out of church quickly without speaking to any guest or fellow church members.

Flex Defense  ~  The ability to allow absolutely nothing from the sermon to affect your lifestyle.

Half Time  ~  The period between Sunday School and the worship service when many choose to leave.

Halfback Option  ~  The decision of half the congregation to not return for the evening service.

Instant Replay  ~  The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week’s illustrations.

Quarterback Sneak  ~  Church members quietly leaving during the closing invitation.

Staying in the Pocket  ~  What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord’s work.

Sudden Death  ~  What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes “overtime.”

Trap  ~  You’re called on to pray and are asleep.

Two Minute Warning  ~  The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.

Additional Note:  If you enjoyed this post you might want to read a prior ALN post entitled “EXTRA: Super Bowl Lessons” (January 31, 2015) and “The Divine Sport” (October 8, 2014).   

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .