Zechariah 13: Faith. Faithfulness. Forgiveness. Fortification.

​Key Verse
9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
 
Meditation
Peter encourages Christians to expect trials when trusting Jesus, testing our faith to produce genuineness and increase the praise and glory of King Jesus (1 Peter 1:1). Peter learned this  lesson  the hard way.
 
In today’s reading, Zachariah speaks of the cleansing of sin (v. 1) after  portraying the One who will be pierced (12:10) and before he shares of the Shepherd who is struck (v. 7). The prophet points to the propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ that is protection for persecuted people.
 
In Zachariah’s historical context, the land will be cleansed from idolatry and false prophets promoting their empty promises will be punished (vv. 2-6). This cleansing will include continued refinement for the faithful (vv. 7-8). God's promise is to be faithful in the fire, the death of the Shepherd protecting those who trust in Him (v. 9). Notice the security of covenant language: 
 
They will call… I will answer. They are my people. I am their God. 
 
Jesus quotes this prophetic poem in reference to His own immanent death (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27), reminding Peter of His faithfulness. Peter promised to not scatter, to remain steadfast during the struggle, but Peter failed in the fire by denying Jesus three times. It was precisely for this reason Jesus was given over to death, so in our failure we can find forgiveness of sin and fortification in the fire of our faith. 
 
God’s covenant faithfulness restored Peter so that Peter could encourage Christians to endure. The prophet Zechariah proves this has been God’s plan from the beginning. Trials will come to God’s covenant people. God has been faithful. God will be faithful. We can trust Him.
 
Today’s Reading
On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.

Idolatry Cut Off
2 “And on that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness. 3 And if anyone again prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, for you speak lies in the name of the Lord.’ And his father and mother who bore him shall pierce him through when he prophesies.

4 “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive,5 but he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.’ 6 And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back?’ he will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

The Shepherd Struck
7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
    against the man who stands next to me,”
declares the Lord of hosts.
“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
    I will turn my hand against the little ones.
8 In the whole land, declares the Lord,
    two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
    and one third shall be left alive.
9 And I will put this third into the fire,
    and refine them as one refines silver,
    and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
    and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
    and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially God’s promise to be faithful in the fire?
 
- Where do you need to be refined in your faith, and how does the finished work of Jesus provide both forgiveness and fortification in the fire?
 
-Peter promised not to betray Jesus, yet He did three times! And Jesus remained faithful. Where have you failed in the fire of following Jesus? And how has God’s grace restored you?
 
-Your faith is “more precious than gold when refined by fire,” writes Peter. Take a moment to pray and welcome the fire that comes from following Jesus, asking Him to protect and provide when you stand for His name.
 
Key Verse
9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”