This week I was listening to a sermon by Abner Chou, a professor at The Master’s University on Zechariah 14:4-5. It was a powerful sermon reflecting on the future events of the great and imminent battle when all the nations come against the nation of Israel. This event will be terrifying for Israel as Jerusalem will be captured, their houses plundered, women ravished, and half of their city exiled (v. 2). Sadly, due to their own sin and God’s loving, forewarned chastening, God will allow the nations to bring Israel to the brink of extinction. It is at that pivotal moment that the prophet declares in verse 5, “the LORD, my God (Jesus Christ), will COME.” What will happen when He comes? He will stand firmly on the Mount of Olives. His feet will resolutely be planted, instead of fleeing as history has shown most kings and peoples have done. Instead, He will remain on the Mount of Olives to save Israel. In this future moment, Jesus will come just as was promised (Acts 1:11). What a glorious day this will be for Israel, when Jesus defeats the nations and saves His people!
As we approach Christmas, what makes this event glorious is how it vividly reflects the Christmas story. The Christmas story is a narrative of how Jesus has COME. As was the case with Israel, all of humanity was in a lost and hopeless condition. Everyone was brought to the brink of eternal destruction, due to their sin and rebellion against God, their Creator and King. And it was at that perfect time (Gal 4:4), God sent forth His Son…that He might redeem. It was in this dire situation that Jesus CAME, being born in a manger. Is this not the joyful and glorious announcement given by heaven’s angel, “for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” How did Jesus save mankind? As the spotless lamb, the perfect Son of righteousness, He stood on the Mount of Olives at Gethsemane and declared, “not my will, but your will be done” (Matt 26:36-46), and He went to the cross and paid the penalty of the sins of the world. He did not flee the Mount of Olives, but He stood and faced the cross, providing salvation for all. For all of us who understand the truth behind this historical Christmas event, we can’t help but declare with the angels what a glorious day this was when Jesus Christ came on that unbelievable Christmas morning! It is so glorious that we must announce to everyone around that JESUS is that great news that brings unbelievable joy for ALL people (Luke 2:10).
What is powerful in Zechariah 14:4 is that Israel flees to Jesus for shelter and receives the salvation Jesus offered. In the same way, all who have seen Jesus’ coming to earth as it is celebrated at Christmas each year, must also flee to our LORD Jesus Christ to receive the salvation He has offered. Our prayer as SOS this Christmas is that you will see that Jesus has come and run to Him.
On behalf of all of us at Sufficiency of Scripture Ministries, Merry Christmas!
For the King and His Kingdom,
Shannon Hurley
