Yes, many peoples and strong nations

....     shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD (Zechariah 8:22). On this day when we celebrate the birth of Christ, this prophecy in its ultimate fulfillment,  looks forward to God's purpose in sending Him into the world,  namely that He might unite in Himself people from every every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and bring them to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 5:9; 21:2, 3).  The firstfruits of the fulfillment of this prophecy concerning those who came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord in Jerusalem is recorded in Acts 2 where,  from among the Jews and multi-ethnic proselytes (converts to Judaism),  over three thousand  were saved (Acts 2:9-11, 41).

In context, the “many” and the “strong” of this prophecy are  contrasted with the few and “feeble” of those who at that time were sent to rebuild the temple (4:9; Nehemiah 4:2, 3).  But Zechariah is the one who asks “who has despised the day of small things, small beginnings” (4:10).  And what smaller beginning could there be for the One who will rule the world with a rod of iron than that  Almighty God (Isaiah 9:6) should become flesh and be born in a stable, in an obscure village,  in  Judea, an obscure backwater of the Roman empire? But “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 2:7). And as this morning's prophecy was given to encourage the Jews at that time, so these things are written to encourage us.  Indeed  there is a tendency to think that you and I and our  part in the Kingdom is insignificant.  But  as beloved adopted sons and daughters in Christ,  we are all significant!

This morning's scripture is particularly significant for me, as  several years ago now, I attended a “Watchmen for the Nations” gathering in Jerusalem. Named the 822 gathering , it was named after this morning's scripture.  Watchmen say of a gathering that it “is unlike a Christian conference where there are set times worship, keynote speakers and a pre-arranged order of events. A gathering is a call to come and worship the Lord while corporately posturing together to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.” These gatherings are wonderful times of reconciliation,  as remnants of various factions come together to ask for,  and seek forgiveness from each other.  Particularly poignant for me was to see Messianic Jews and Christian Arabs embracing one another on stage in the heart of the most contested city in the World.  It was not, and still is not,  the Norm, but it is a firstfruit of both this scripture,  and of Christ's prayer (John 17:21).

Lord Jesus, long,  long ago before the foundations of the World, long before the Father asked Isaiah “Who will go for us,  and whom shall I send,” He had asked You and You had said in essence “Here am I send me!”  Thank You Lord for being willing to come into this sick and hurting world to be  born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. You are the Prince of Peace,  and we pray this morning as You have asked us to, for the peace of Jerusalem.  And we say even so come  Lord Jesus, in Your precious Name Amen