Zechariah 2, Hebrews 9

(Zechariah 2)

What great words of encouragement found in chapter two: "Run, tell that young man, 'Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be its glory within.”

I pray that we fix our eyes and hearts on the later part of this statement more than the earlier declaration. The earlier is the promise that “Jerusalem” will grow beyond it’s walls into a great number of people and resources… the later is that not only will God be a wall of protection around them, but that the Lord, himself, with be it’s glory within. Nothing else encapsulates its glory, but the Lord alone.

Lord, help me to never seek after anything but your glory within. Help me father to fix my eyes on your love, leading, protection, and glory. And in that glory may your will be done.

(Hebrews 9)

(Verse 9)”This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. (10)They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order…
(Verse 14)How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

Wow! So clearly this chapter tells us that the blood of goats and bulls cleanse our flesh, but verse 14 reminds us that the blood of Christ cleanses our consciences. The word used for conscience is formed by two Greek words meaning “union” and “to see; by implication”. They are only used in past tense form. So in essence, this scripture is reminding us that Jesus purifies our awareness (to see completely) that our works are dead and THAT IN ITSELF (So that) we may serve the living God.

But it doesn’t stop there. This is no ordinary use of the word serve. What has translated in the English to be the word “serve”, in the Greek language literally means “worship” or even better yet in my mind to “minister to”. Here’s our reality: because of the blood of Christ, not only do we have eternal life because of our High Priest, but he also purifies our awareness that there is nothing we can do to earn that salvation elsewhere AND the knowledge and acceptance of that reality (in humility) literally ministers to the heart of God in the form of worship.

I guess, in a way, this is the satisfaction that our Holy God experiences when he sees His amazing work and the product of that work through a redeemed relationship with his creation (us). Makes me think of the show the “A-Team” when Hannibal says “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Father, we love it when your plan comes together too. We love it because just like what was mentioned in Zechariah 2, it means that it is YOUR Glory revealed inside the city gates, not ours. And it’s in your Glory that we find your joy. Praise you, God! Please take away our spiritual pride, Father, in the Church and in our hearts. That type of pride can only come from taking praise that is due only to you. Thank you God for your greatness!