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Prophecies About Jesus’ Death in Zechariah 12-13
Prophecies About Jesus’ Death in Zechariah 12-13 By Derek Long
The Old Testament prophets foretold among other things, “the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” (1 Peter 1:11, NKJV). The fact such prophecies were made hundreds of years before they were fulfilled should serve as a great proof of the Bible’s inspiration. It should also help strengthen our faith in the fact Jesus is in fact the Christ. God’s plan of sending His Son to die for our sins was something which was planned, “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:18-21, NKJV). Let’s look at some prophecies relating to Jesus’ death in Zechariah 12-13. Zechariah 12:10 Zechariah 12:10 says, “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” (NKJV). The prophet foretells people looking on a pierced one. John tells us of the fulfillment of this prophecy in the death of Jesus. The record says, “Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones shall be broken.’ And again another Scripture says, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced’” (John 19:31-37, NKJV). God would use the death of Jesus to bring grace. The response we should have as we consider the death of Jesus is to mourn over what happened to Him for our sins. Zechariah 13:1 Zechariah 13:1 says, “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness” (NKJV). Jesus’ death provided a fountain, so to speak, for our sins. Jesus’ blood was shed to wash us from our sins (Revelation 1:5). Jesus is pictured as providing a “fountain.” A fountain gives us the image of something abundant. God’s grace extended for our sins through Jesus has the ability to forgive all our sins (Romans 5:20-21). In order to access the fountain God provided for our sins, we must meet the conditions given in His word (Acts 22:16; 1 John 1:7-10). Zechariah 13:7-9 Zechariah 13:7-9 says, “‘Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; the I will turn My hand against the little ones. And it shall come to pass in all the land,’ says the Lord, ‘that twothirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, “This is My people”; and each one will say, “The Lord is my God”’” (NKJV). Jesus predicts this passage would be fulfilled by His disciples forsaking Him as He is being betrayed and arrested. Matthew 26:31 says, “Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered”’” (NKJV). Jesus was betrayed by Judas and would eventually be crucified but as this was happening His disciples forsook Him and fled (Matthew 26:56). A remnant is pictured as being saved which is what happens through the death of Jesus. Those who end up saved will have to be refined and tested. They will call on the Lord and the Lord would answer them. We call on the Lord to save us by complying with His requirements for being saved including baptism (Acts 22:16). These individuals would compose the people of God! Jesus fulfilled these prophecies and many others demonstrating the validity of His claim to be the Son of God.
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