“And I shall pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that when they look upon me, on him they have pierced they shall mourn him, as one mourns the only child, and weep bitterly, as one weeps over a first child.” Zachariah 12:10
Why is there such turmoil in Israel? Why are the Jews harried from land to land? Why have they suffered? Zachariah is quite clear about their fate: God sent to them one who would give salvation, one who would be pierced for their iniquities, one whom they themselves would pierce.
Yet, on the day of piercing (crucifixion), the fountain of life eternal would be opened for the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Israel - and not only Israel, but all who seek the favor of the Lord in Christ Jesus: both Jew and Gentile.
The Jews suffer because they rejected Christ and continue to reject Him - the one whom God sent first to THEM to fulfill HIS promise of salvation for HIS chosen people. The favor of the Lord rested first upon them and they threw it back. God extended this gift to others nations, and every increasingly they throw it back in His face.
The story of Israel’s in the Bible is the story of mankind played out in one nation. The suffering of the Jews throughout history is a reflection of all human misery brought about by rejecting Christ Jesus and the salvation He brings. All who reject Christ will face eternal damnation. All who receive Him will receive life: life abundant in this world and eternal life in the next.
Christ is our fountain - the fountain of all people - who cleanses us from sin and ALL uncleanliness, making us presentable to God so that we might stand in His presence and live with Him for eternity. Both Jew and Gentile reject Him at their peril.
Prayer: Lord God, you are long-suffering and merciful, yet I know your patience and mercy are tempered with justice. All will be held accountable for their sins and for the rejection of your Son. On the day of judgment, may I find favor in your eyes, not on my own account but on account of my faith in Jesus and His suffering and the redemption He brings. I pray this not only for myself but all who have rejected you that they might come to true faith and be saved. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
(Addendum: In case any one misunderstands what I have written, let me clarify. The theme of this devotional is “the rejection of Christ” by the world and the ensuing unrest that results. Israel serves in this writing as a microcosm for the totality of mankind, in much the way we look at ancient Israel as a mirror to our contemporary times and our relationship with God. This devotional is not a accusation against any specific group and should not be take as such. We have ALL fallen short of the glory of God.)