Tag: Zechariah 11:12-13
“Let His blood be on us”
Scripture reading for October 12: Matthew 26-28
Those who have grown up in the church have heard the story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion many times. This story is a key to our redemption from the ravages of sin because it tells of a Savior Who willingly took our sin and loved us so much that He gave His life for us. No one really took His life from Him; He offered it on our behalf as a part of God’s plan to bring us back to Himself. Today, as we look at this story, I want us to focus on Jesus and His sacrifice for us.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for a mere thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14-15) Why Judas sold his Master, we are not actually told, except that he belonged to the evil one and was not one of the true disciples. He fulfilled Scripture in Zechariah 11:12-13 that was written about him several hundred years in advance. The Jews sent temple guards to follow Judas to the place where Jesus was praying with His disciples. Judas betrayed his Master with a kiss. Jesus told Judas and his followers to do what they came for and offered no resistance.
He was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin, who met early in the morning, to try to find a way to put Jesus to death. (Matthew 27:1) Caiaphas asked Jesus directly if He was the Christ, Son of the living God. Jesus answered “yes” and told him that in the future he would see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:63-64) The council pronounced a death sentence, spit on Him, and struck Him with their fists. His trusted disciples deserted Him and Peter denied Him three times as Jesus had predicted.
Jesus then stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, the only one with authority to put Him to death. Pilate listened to the Jews’ charges and then asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus again answered “yes”. Jesus made no other defense against the charges, to Pilate’s amazement! Pilate had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with Jesus because of a troubling dream that she had. He tried to get the crowd to release Jesus, but they insisted on having a criminal released and demanded Jesus be crucified.
Pilate symbolically washed his hands of Jesus’ blood and placed the responsibility on the people. They willingly stated: “Let His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25) Ironically, it is the blood of Jesus alone that can cleanse us all from our sin. We all have done that which caused God to take this drastic measure to save us. It is a wonderful act of grace for Jesus to give His blood for the redemption of those who would crucify Him. We who are saved have willingly confessed our sins and asked that “Jesus blood cover us”. May it cover our children too!
Your King is coming!
Scripture reading for October 1: Zechariah 9-11
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:9-10
Zechariah was very specific about the coming Ruler who will be both a priest and a king. This coming One would not be a great conqueror who would ruthlessly devour the nations or subdue them with strong-arm tactics. Instead, He would come gently, armed with weapons of righteousness and salvation. He would also be riding on the colt of a donkey. He would come proclaiming peace to all peoples and nations! His rule would extend to the ends of the earth! What a picture of Jesus Christ! (Matthew 21:2-4)
This gentle King, Who announces peace, would also save and restore His people! Because of the blood of His covenant, He will free the prisoners and will restore them double! The Lord will save His flock like a shepherd from their enemies and they will sparkle like jewels in a crown. (Zechariah 9:16-17)
The people of God were to ask the Lord for rain in the springtime. God gives showers of rain to the just and unjust, but He is responsive to His people asking . God was tired of shepherds who oppressed the people and promised that He, Himself, would care for His flock. He would raise up from Judah One Who would be the Cornerstone and the Tent Peg. He would bring forth the Battle Bow and every ruler would come from Him. (Zechariah 10:4) This again is a reference to Jesus Christ, Who came from the tribe of Judah and became the Chief Cornerstone of the new temple! He was a Peg driven in a firm place and a Mighty Warrior!
There are many “I will” statements in Zechariah 10. Included in these statements are promises to strengthen the house of Judah and have compassion on them. God promises to be their God and to hear and answer them. (Zechariah 10:6-12) He will gather them from where they have been scattered and they will walk in His name!
A final reference to this king is found in Zechariah 11:12-13 where the statement about the price of thirty pieces of silver for the pay of the shepherd was made. It was to be thrown to the potter! Zechariah had again left a significant Word that signified that Jesus Christ was Messiah and described Judas’ betrayal for the thirty pieces of silver! (Matthew 27:3-10)
Our King is coming again! This time as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Are you ready to meet Him? Humble yourself today and ask Him to rule in your heart and life!
The betrayers end!
Scripture reading for August 4th: Matthew 27
Key Scriptures: Matthew 27:3-8 ‘Then when Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore, it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.”
Judas is an interesting figure in history and his life and final end stand as a warning to all who follow Jesus of the perils of intimate knowledge of Jesus without faith to believe and obey. Judas was one of the Twelve who walked with Jesus for three or more years. Judas was the trusted treasurer of the band of disciples. Judas was sent out and did miracles and preached the good news. But Judas was a thief and betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. After seeing Jesus condemned to be crucified, Judas had remorse and tried to return the money to the religious leaders. He went out and hanged himself, taking his own life instead of asking Jesus and God for forgiveness. The Pharisees had no care for his soul nor remorse or repentance for their part in the scheme. Their religious minds, seeking to justify taking the ‘blood money’, used it to benevolently by a field to bury strangers. They did all this without remorse or repentance to keep a good face and reputation. Jesus was right in saying they were white-washed tombs full of dead-man’s bones!
Matthew 23:27-28 “”Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.””
Faith confession and prayer: Father, help me to heed the warning of the life and end of Judas and those who schemed with him. Keep me from hypocrisy and lead me daily by Your Holy Spirit to speak truth and live a life true to Your Word and heart for lost people. Help me to examine my own heart for idolatry and hypocrisy as I receive holy communion.
Matthew 27:9-10 “Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on Whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” (Zechariah 11:12-13)