The Pierced Prince

We are beginning today with a series on the cross as we draw closer to celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will begin looking forward by looking back. We will be in Zechariah 12:10.

The first nine verses of the 12th chapter describes the Lord’s deliverance of Judah and Jerusalem from the vicious attack of the sieging enemy. That victory will be greater than any other in Israel’s miraculous history: Greater than the deliverance from the land of Egypt, or at the crossing of the Red Sea, or the victory when they entered the Promise land or when the walls of Jericho fell, or when Gideon’s 300 were victorious over incredible odds, the destruction of Assyria’s army, or the conquest of the Sixty Day War or the Seven Day War. A still greater and more permanent blessing is in store for Israel "in that day" than mere outward deliverance and earthly protection; the God wrought victory over self.

The nation and its people are still not in the place of blessing because they are not placing their faith in and giving obedience to the only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So in that day the Lord will pour out the "Spirit of Grace and Supplication" upon Jerusalem which will lead them to the crucified Messiah who they have so venomously rejected. Their guilt over having denied the Savior who has just protected, strengthened and delivered them will overwhelm them and will cause them to weep bitterly. Let’s read...

Zechariah 12:1–10 NKJV

1 The burden of the word of the Lord against Israel. Thus says the Lord, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: 2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. 4 In that day,” says the Lord, “I will strike every horse with confusion, and its rider with madness; I will open My eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in the Lord of hosts, their God.’ 6 In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem. 7 “The Lord will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah. 8 In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. 9 It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

1. Here are people who had spurned salvation

2. Now they look back with regret over their rejection of Christ

C. Why All This Mourning over the Pierced One?

These Mourners Will Realize Who They Have Rejected

They have spurned the gift of God’s love. Verse 10 reveals God divinely bestowing His awakening gift upon Israel in that day. "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem..." The prophecy continues with God speaking in the first person. The word "pour out" denotes full and abundant refreshing like water poured on thirsty ground. Very obviously this is the culmination of Joel’s prophecy (2:28-32) that Peter quoted in Acts 2:16-21 when the Spirit’s out-pouring began at Pentecost. Ezekiel 39:29 and Isaiah 44:3 also prophecy of this day.

The recipients of this spiritual blessing are "the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem." This is talking about those destined to belong to the Davidic King and live in His city, Jerusalem. This event is described in Romans 11:26-27, Isaiah 27:9; 59:20f; Jer. 31:31-37.

a. Christ had come as the Savior for sinners

b. He had come to offer forgiveness and eternal life

2. They had chosen rebellion instead of redemption

a. God had sent His only Son to justify sinners (Rom. 5:8-9)

Romans 5:8–9 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

b. They had despised and rejected Him (Isa. 53:3)

Isaiah 53:3 NKJV

3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

3. They had persecuted the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6-7)

Isaiah 9:6–7 NKJV

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

These Mourners Remember Their Response

Christ had come to reconcile them to God. While they were guilty, He offered them grace. While they deserved death, He died for them, and us. (Romans 5:8)

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

They pierced Him while He prayed for them. Even on the cross, He had prayed for their forgiveness. (Luke 23:34)

Luke 23:34 NKJV

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Do you know any who are resisting the pleading Prince?

These Mourners Will Eventually Repent

Repentance is a turning around, an about-face.

Zechariah 12:10 NKJV

10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

They face the Pierced One and cry out for forgiveness. The question is what is our response to the love of Christ revealed at the Cross?

In the words of Matthew Henry, “There is a holy mourning, the effect of the pouring out of the Spirit; a mourning for sin which quickens faith in Christ and qualifies for joy God.”

Let’s submit to the Lord Jesus Christ in all we do.