Zechariah 12:10-13:6

II.      Israel will acknowledge and mourn Messiah whom they pierced, 9:10-14.

Someone recently tried to argue with me the thought that the Romans, not the Jews, were responsible for the death of Christ.  That is a long-standing question but one that we would say is not difficult.  Yes, the Romans drove the nails in His hands and feet; but He prayed for their forgiveness because they did not know what they were doing.  Every human being is guilty because the death of Christ was for the sin of all.  But the Jewish shepherds (leaders) did know what they were doing.  They understood the significance of Jesus’ miraculous signs and of His entering Jerusalem on the donkey.  And it was to Israel that Jesus had first offered Himself.  Remember John’s words: the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him (John 1:10-11).

Today the situation in Israel is still what Paul wrote in Rom. 11:28: concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.  There are difficulties faced by believing (Messianic) Jews.  Often they face added hindrances when trying to make Aliya (moving to Israel and becoming citizens).  There are certain limitations on witnessing in Israel (e.g. to minors, or in using material inducements such as handing out Bibles).  There are some protections provided by the nation since there is freedom of religion in Israel.  But opposition to the gospel is strong.

Thus how can this ever be fulfilled?  The answer is it cannot happen apart from the miraculous outpouring of the Spirit promised throughout the Prophets (e.g. Eek. 39:29; Joel 2:28-29).  This outpouring will result in every family mourning over the guilt of rejecting the Messiah, from the royal family (Nathan was the son of David through whom Messiah came, Luke 3:23,31) to the priestly family (Shimei was of Gershon, son of Levi, Num 3:17, 18, 21).  And the mourning will be so intense that men and women will want to be apart, a mourning like when Josiah was killed by the Egyptians at Megiddo (cf. 2 Chron. 35:22-27).

III.   Israel will be cleansed of idolatry, 13:1-6

The sorrow of that day will not be the sorrow of the world but will be godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10).  Again, this will be the result of God’s grace; a fountain shall be opened … for sin and for uncleanness.  There will be no false prophets to lead the people astray.  And there will be no need for prophets because the revelation of God will be complete.  Further, the outpouring will bring every mourner into a relationship with God; they will not need anyone to teach them this (Jer. 31:34).

Time and again Scripture promises a saved nation of Israel as well as many saved from the nations.  Israel’s salvation will be amazing.  The Christ who is categorically rejected by all branches of Judaism today will be received.  And the result will be a nation, resurrected and born again (Ezek. 37:1-14; John 3:3).