A Life in Exile

If judgment is coming on the earth, will it not first come on those dearest to the heart of God? This is the reality for God’s chosen people, Israel, as the prophet Zechariah reminds us today. This people, now back in the Land of Promise would fail to remain faithful to the God of Creation. While God would punish the enemies of Israel, he would also punish his beloved people for their refusal to turn from idols and live in obedience to God.

The book will end with the hope of the coming Lion-King, who would reign over the whole earth.

On that day the Lord will become King over the whole earth—the Lord alone, and his name alone. (Zechariah 14:9 CSB)

First, however, the King must arrive as the Shepherd. He is the one willing to sacrifice himself for his rebellious sheep. This is where we find ourselves today—with a shepherd of scared and scattered sheep.

Sword, awake against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones. In the whole land—this is the Lord’s declaration—two-thirds will be cut off and die, but a third will be left in it. I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” (Zechariah 13:7-9)

A remnant of the flock.

All through the Old Testament we have clear indications that it will be a remnant of the people who come to know the salvation of the Lord. Though available to all, man in his rebellious state would continue to reject God’s perfect plan. Israel, his chosen people, who should know better, actively embraced the idols of the nations in open rejection of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Still, it was this rebellious people God chose to redeem, and by sending his Son, he made a way for salvation. Much like the nation as a whole, Christ’s own chosen twelve would often question and misunderstand the plan, imposing their own understanding over what Jesus taught. When opposition arose to the radical rabbi and his teachings became hard to hear, many among his followers turn away in disbelief.

On the night of his betrayal, Jesus shared with his disciples that there was one who would betray him. As they questioned this declaration, Judas would be singled out for the job. Despite this, Jesus moved forward in demonstrating how they would remember his sacrifice and offered the bread and the wine. They sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives where Jesus would quote from Zechariah.

Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

“Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing. (Matthew 26:31-35)

Will you scatter?

Is a scattered sheep still with the flock? I think about the impact Jesus’s words had on his followers. They were obviously in great distress over this, because they immediately, led by quick-to-speak-slow-to-think Peter, claimed they would never fall away. Jesus knew better. The one who sees beginning from the end knew his arrest and crucifixion would scare his people to death. Not only would his disciples scatter to the four winds upon his arrest, but Peter would have the gall to deny association with the Christ three times in one evening.

What do their actions teach us?

Following Jesus is hard. When things get bad, we don’t always react with the Spirit-empowered fight but with the Devil-empowered flight. Thankfully, for those of us who have accepted Christ as Savior, we have the 24/7 indwelling Spirit to help us press on in faith. The disciples didn’t have that luxury on that horrible day. We would later see them face increasing persecution with courage and steadfast faith.

Confession is good for the soul. Unlike Judas, Peter wept and was sorrowful for his actions. Because of his continued obedience to Christ, he was fully restored and commissioned with the rest of the apostles.

Jesus never gives up on the one. He is always ready to save and restore. All it takes is for the prodigal to come to his senses and take a step back toward the Father. All it takes is for the sheep in the ditch to cry out to the Shepherd. All it takes is for the sinner to recognize his sin and turn to God.

Though a majority will be cut off in their persistent rebellion, Zechariah reminds us that the day is coming when the Good Shepherd will refine those who remain and answer them when they call, saying “They are my people.” What will they say? “The Lord is our God,” and we will scatter no more.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.