2023 Advent Devotional - Zechariah 12:10 (Day 10)

Zechariah 12:10 “And I will 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 on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”

Do you every feel like you have done so much wrong in your life, sinned without even a second thought or wandered so far that there is no way you can ever be redeemed?

When I look at this passage, several distinct concepts stand out to me. The use of “pour out” implies that there is an abundance of something, not just a singular notion or a specified amount. This is because grace and mercy cannot be measured. This is difficult to understand because so much in this world we are busy trying to put numerical value behind something or find a way to prove it through science rather than taking it as truth. As parents, we are consistently tested by our children. Sometimes it is not listening, doing what they want instead of what needs to be done or breaking the rules. That can be incredible frustrating or maybe make you feel like your failing as a parent because of their behaviors. Not for a second though would there be anything that they could do that would making me stop loving them.

I have to remind myself that we are children of God, and saved through Jesus. The same concept applies, we as children; often wonder far away from God, break rules he has set and sin against him. Yet, He “will pour out” His “grace and mercy”. God has given His one and only son so that we may have eternal life with him in heaven. Even when we are not worthy of this, it is still given to us because of the Lord’s love for us and his abundance of grace and mercy. Like that of a parent who will never stop wanting the best for their child.

Another distinct concept is the fulfillment of this through the crucifixion. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, he was pierced with a spear. So when referencing “when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced” we are looking at Jesus. Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” The use of the word “mourn” carries a weight, a heaviness. We should mourn over what Jesus has done to set us free from our sins. Remember to seek forgiveness for our sins and understand the burden our transgressions have caused. Do not take lightly the sacrifice that was made but know through the grace of God we are saved. So yet we may not feel worthy of saving or that we can ever be redeemed, that is not up to us. God has redeemed us through the sacrifice of His one and only son. It is up to us to repent and step into the grace and mercy he has provided.  

Thank you Lord, for you do not treat us as we deserve but continue to bless us throughout our lives. Please continue to watch over us as a parent watches over a child and continue to guide us closer to you. Thank you for your grace and mercy, I pray each person feels these as they continue throughout the day. In your name we pray. Amen  - By Matt Werdehausen