I love it when our children and now grandchildren tell us when they are coming to our house in more ways than one.  Even when a family gathering as been acknowledged and verified that they are coming, we will still get a text the day of, letting us know when they are on the road to our house.  “We’re on our way!” the text assures us.  There is just something loving and generous about that text expressing the excitement of our impending time together to celebrate.

God excitedly sends a “text” through Zechariah to His people telling us that He is “on the move” and “on His way” to come to us, to move into the neighborhood where we live and be with us.  Zechariah hears from God then proclaims the coming of Jesus, God’s Son, who will come to earth for a visit to teach, serve and then save all who believe in Him.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “I’m on my way…” says God.

And Jesus did come andfulfilled all the prophecies, in every detail, “texted” many centuries before to God’s people and to all who would listen.  Zechariah was one of many of God’s prophets who shouted from the rooftops of the coming of the Lord!

“Shout and celebrate, Daughter of Zion!  I’m on my way. I’m moving into your neighborhood!” –God’s Decree.

Zechariah 2, The Message

Third Vision: The Man with the Tape Measure

^1-5 I looked up and was surprised to see
    a man holding a tape measure in his hand.
I said, “What are you up to?”
    “I’m on my way,” he said, “to survey Jerusalem,
    to measure its width and length.”
Just then the Messenger-Angel on his way out
    met another angel coming in and said,
“Run! Tell the Surveyor, ‘Jerusalem will burst its walls—
    bursting with people, bursting with animals.
And I’ll be right there with her’—God’s Decree—‘a wall of fire
    around unwalled Jerusalem and a radiant presence within.’”

* * *

^6-7 “Up on your feet! Get out of there—and now!” God says so.
    “Return from your far exile.
I scattered you to the four winds.” God’s Decree.
    “Escape from Babylon, Zion, and come home—now!”

* * *

^8-9 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the One of Glory who sent me on my mission, commenting on the godless nations who stripped you and left you homeless, said, “Anyone who hits you, hits me—bloodies my nose, blackens my eye. Yes, and at the right time I’ll give the signal and they’ll be stripped and thrown out by their own servants.” Then you’ll know for sure that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me on this mission.

* * *

¹⁰ “Shout and celebrate, Daughter of Zion!
    I’m on my way. I’m moving into your neighborhood!”
        God’s Decree.

* * *

^11-12 Many godless nations will be linked up with God at that time. (“They will become my family! I’ll live in their homes!”) And then you’ll know for sure that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me on this mission. God will reclaim his Judah inheritance in the Holy Land. He’ll again make clear that Jerusalem is his choice.

* * *

¹³ Quiet, everyone! Shh! Silence before God. Something’s afoot in his holy house. He’s on the move!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The remnant that had returned to Judah was concerned about rebuilding the temple and restoring the city and the nation, but their work was extremely difficult. In this vision, God assured His people that He planned future glory and honor for them and their city when He Himself would come to dwell with them. 

Be assured, Jesus is coming back again to claim His own!

The angel spoke of Israel’s Messiah! Leaders and diplomats may debate over who will control Jerusalem, but the Lord Jesus Christ has the final word. Always and forever!

What a promise of God “made flesh to live among us”!  Promises like this ought to make all God’s people “sing and rejoice.” Their Messiah (Our Savior and Lord) would come and live with them, just as the glory of God had dwelt in the tabernacle and the temple!  Imagine what the hearer of this proclamation must be thinking!

Pause to think about the second coming of Jesus.  How excited are we?  Do our hearts long for Him? Can we wrap our minds around this promise?  Do we feel assured that what God says about Him is true and will happen? 

Do we really believe that what God says is really real?  Our answer and subsequent behaviors that flow from our hearts will decide our future.  Our hope and assurance cannot be formed from this world, only by believing in Jesus who IS our Hope.

Lord,

I believe you.  I believe that you came to save us.  I believe in your teaching.  I believe that I am redeemed by you.  I believe that I will always be learning and growing while living here as I prepare to be with you in the place you are preparing for me and other who believe.  I know I have “not arrived” in perfection but you in me allows me to be perfectly forgiven and holy.  I believe that what you say in Your Word is absolutely true.  I know “you are on your way” back to us for the last trip to gather us and take us to our forever home with you for eternity.  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  May your glory be seen in me in the meantime so others will know you, too.

In Jesus Name, Amen

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!