“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died” (Zechariah 12:10 NLT).
The prophet Zechariah wrote around 520 BC. This was 500 years before Christ and 2500 years before the present age. His book is filled with Messianic prophecies. Here, we see a Messianic reference to “firstborn son” who the people of Israel would look on and finally acknowledge as the Messiah whom they had “pierced.” Recognizing Him they would mourn and weep bitterly.
Certainly, the prophecy that they would pierce the Son has already come to pass at Christ’s crucifixion. But that they would acknowledge Him and mourn has only been partially fulfilled. A great outpouring of the Spirit took place at Pentecost and thousands of Jews were saved. Yet, most of them have rejected Christ. Zechariah’s prophecy points to a future time when a great spiritual awakening will take place among the Jews, so that they finally look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn in repentance. This will happen before true peace comes to Jerusalem.
Have you looked on Him whom you have pierced? For He was “pierced for our transgressions” (Isa. 53:5). Have you mourned and repented of your sin that wounded Him? Have you believed in the only begotten Son, Jesus, and received the eternal life found only in Him?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the many prophecies foretelling Christ’s coming. It gives us great encouragement and hope. For Your Word is true and faithful. We long for the Day of Christ’s return, yet until then, give us strength to proclaim the gospel. In Jesus’ name, amen.