Zechariah

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 26th and so does our emphasis on the book of Zechariah. The prophet’s chief concern is God’s kingdom. Throughout all fourteen chapters, Zechariah joyfully and profoundly announces that God’s kingdom is coming through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus. The book of Zechariah abounds with stunning portraits of our Savior. Jesus serves as the prophet’s Interpreting Messenger throughout the first six chapters. Zechariah calls Jesus a “Shoot” (3:8; 6:12), “Servant” (3:8) and “Stone” (3:9). It is in his last six chapters, though, that the prophet describes Jesus in much more compelling ways. Jesus is righteous and humble (9:9). The blood of his covenant sets prisoners free (9:11). He is the church’s Cornerstone, Tent Peg and Battle Bow (10:4). Then, in a dramatic twist of fate, Christ is detested (11:8), sold for thirty pieces of silver (11:12), struck so his sheep scatter (13:7) and finally pierced and killed (12:10). In the end, however, God’s kingdom comes—finally and permanently, in pristine beauty (14:9, 16, 17).