Here is the man – Zech 6:12
Do you get excited reading all the prophesies regarding the
Messiah and marvel at God’s ways? In Zechariah 6 we read a further key prophecy
about him: he would be a man who would build the temple of the Lord, clothed in
majesty, ruling on the throne, a priest. “Here
is the man” are also the words Pilate uses when Jesus comes out wearing the
crown of thorns and the purple robe, which the soldiers had put on him. (John
19:5). Jesus is then condemned to be crucified.
Do you sometimes wonder why God allows certain things to
happen? After Jehoshaphat’s death (2 Chr 21) his son Jehoram becomes king of Judah
In Revelation 10 John is told by the angel to “take and eat” the little scroll. “It will turn your stomach sour, but in your
mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” (Rev 10:9). This is reminiscent of
Jesus’ command at the last supper: Take and eat (Mat 26:26). Both appeal to us
to grasp and digest, to accept and understand the good news of God’s eternal
purpose of salvation, but also the bad news of the suffering involved, for
Jesus and for us, his followers.
Jesus tells us that we must pick up our cross to follow him
(Mt 10:38, Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23, Lk 14:27). What does your cross look
like?
Do you ever imagine what it must be like to be persecuted for
being a follower of Jesus? Revelation was written to encourage early Christians
who were faced with severe persecution and martyrdom for resisting to worship
Caesar. Today, worldwide about 630 million Christians suffer some form of
persecution, ranging from discrimination in areas such as employment and
housing, to severe threats of beating, imprisonment, torture and murder
(internet sources). An estimated 160,000 Christian men, women and children are
martyred every year, which is about one every 4 minutes. However, there are
estimates that every day worldwide 86,000 new believers come to Christ.
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your eternal plan of
salvation. Thank you that in all things you work for the good of those who love
you (Rom 8:28). Help us to carry our cross for you. Help us to remember our
persecuted Christian brothers and sisters (Heb 13:3). Amen.
(friend of Christ Church)