This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.'” Zechariah 8:23
Dear heavenly Father, every day, no exceptions, I need to be reminded of where the history of redemption is heading, for I’m both a forgetful man and way too easily distracted. How I praise you that a great promise you made through a minor prophet is the major hope I need this day and every day. International headlines and personal headaches can rob me of the joy of staying engaged with the main storyline in all of history-your commitment to redeem your pan-national family and make all things new through the work of your Son, Jesus.
Indeed, Lord Jesus, you are the “one Jew” of the Father’s promise. You are the faithful remnant of Israel… you are the second Adam… the only Nazarene in whom there was no guile… the Lord who became the Lamb… our substitute in life and in death. We lay hold of the hem of your robe only because of your grasp of us in the gospel. I leap for joy in this season of Lent because of who you are and what you’ve already accomplished on our behalf!
As you live out your resurrection life in our hearts and in our midst, I implore you…I beseech you… manifest your real and vital presence in our churches, Jesus. How awesome it would be for contagious gospel renewal to break out afresh in our local congregations… and our neighborhoods.
How incredible it would be for rumors of you being with us and for us to be easily substantiated by every people group that lives anywhere close to where you’ve placed us… the rich and the poor… the educated and the uneducated… the religious and the irreligious… the washed and the unwashed… the found and the lost… the unrighteous and the self-righteous. How profound it would be for the first fruits of the new heaven and new earth to be seen in our own communities. Why not us, Jesus, and why not now… and why not me? So very Amen, I pray, in your most majestic and merciful name.
