Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9,11-13; Matthew 11:25-30
Zechariah had a conversation with God in which God doubted that the people in Jerusalem were following the laws out of tradition rather than out of conviction and obedience to God. God kept reminding the people to be compassionate to one another, but they would not listen. They didn’t listen with their ears nor with their hearts. So, God scattered the people to punish them.
However, God eventually shows mercy and returns to Jerusalem. God tells Zechariah that the people who were scattered will return to the Holy City. It is a new generation, and God gives them a new chance. Faithfulness and joyful compliance with the laws are to reign. A new beginning for God and the people of Jerusalem. God wants to protect the people from wars so that they can live in harmony and peace, looking after one another and be happy.
This is the situation when Zion’s King is coming. The daughters of Zion and of Jerusalem are addressed – not the sons or warriors. This king is a king of peace. He is not riding on a horse to conquer the city by force, but rather on a young donkey. A sign of humility and of peace. Instruments of war are not needed anymore. This is the King of Peace.
We are reminded of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey only days before the betrayal against him…
God gave new life to Jerusalem and the people of Jerusalem. Their ancestors were punished as they had fasted for their bodies rather than to please God. God chose to live in Jerusalem and to truly be with the people, protect them and be faithful.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul reminds the listeners that the Spirit of God dwells in them. Therefore, he warns the people to live accordingly: not to please the flesh but to please the Spirit. Living for the flesh means dying with the flesh, but living for the Spirit means living in the Spirit.
In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus has chosen the twelve apostles, and the first task that he asked them to do is to cast out evil spirits and to announce to the lost sheep of Israel that ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ He also tells them not to worry as the Spirit of God would speak through them. Even if the body is harmed, the soul won’t be.
The ancestors of the children in Zechariah were scattered, but a new generation of Israelites was invited back into Jerusalem. Similarly, Jesus had just rebuked the people who he had healed but who didn’t repent.
God has revealed himself through Jesus, and Jesus addresses the new generation, those who haven’t been spoiled by misleading pride and self-exaltation, but whose hearts and minds are open to God’s message. Jesus invites them to come and find peace with him. Just as the King of Zion asked the people of Jerusalem to throw away all weapons and to find peace with him, Jesus offers to show them how to find peace when they are equipped with God’s Spirit and follow Jesus.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be able to live the lives that God wants us to live, and to genuinely listen to each other with our hearts and minds and act accordingly. Jesus will then help us to lighten our burdens.
BM
