The Eternal Son Who Entered Time
The second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ has always existed "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1; Colossians 1:17; Micah 5:2). Zechariah 9–11 presents Him in two complementary roles: the humble shepherd-king who comes in sacrificial service and the conquering king who judges evil and rules without rival. Both portraits are essential to understanding the full scope of who He is.
When the fullness of time arrived, the eternal Son took on human flesh (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4–5; Philippians 2:6–8), born in a lowly stable in fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1–7). He lived the sinless life no human being could live (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22) and died the substitutionary death all humanity deserved (Isaiah 53:4–6; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). From first to last, Jesus stands as the centerpiece of God's redemptive plan, the One to whom all Scripture points (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Revelation 19:10).
The Shepherd Rejected, the King Enthroned
Zechariah's prophecy starkly portrays the rejection of the Messiah by His own people. The thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12–13) find precise fulfillment in Judas's betrayal (Matthew 26:14–16; 27:3–10), and the triumphal entry in Zechariah 9:9 is fulfilled in Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem (Matthew 21:4–5; John 12:14–15), a moment of celebration that preceded His crucifixion within days. Isaiah had foretold that "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him" (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11). Yet rejection was never the final word. God raised Him from the dead (Acts 2:24; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:4), exalted Him to His right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33; Ephesians 1:20–21), and gave Him a name above every name (Philippians 2:9–11). Though the world largely continues in its rejection, He reigns (Colossians 1:13,18-19; Colossians 3:1-4) and He will return (Matthew 24:30).
The Crisis of Sin and the Only Solution
The passage makes clear what is at stake for those who fail to receive Jesus. Apart from Him, God remains a distant and unapproachable deity, and humanity is left navigating sin's devastation with nothing more than frail human remedies. Scripture is unambiguous: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The world's brokenness (social, moral, spiritual) is not a problem that education, politics, or human ingenuity can solve at its root. Sin is a catastrophic rupture between God and humanity, and only a sinless, divine-human mediator can bridge it (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15). "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12; cf. John 14:6). Jesus is not one option among many. He is the only answer to humanity's deepest and most urgent crisis.
The Return That Changes Everything
Zechariah 12–14 extends the prophetic vision forward to the second advent, when the One who came in humility returns in glory. Every eye will behold Him (Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 24:30), and every knee will bow before Him (Philippians 2:10–11; Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11). Those who pierced Him will mourn (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37), and He will judge His enemies and deliver His people with finality (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 19:11–16; Zechariah 14:3–4). What Zechariah foresaw in shadow, the New Testament declares in full light: the King is coming to assume the throne that has always been His (Luke 1:32–33; Revelation 11:15; Daniel 7:13–14).
Enthroning Jesus Now and Then
God calls His people to enthrone Jesus in their hearts today as they await His return. To believe in Jesus is to receive, through faith, the gift of righteousness He earned (Romans 3:22–24; 2 Corinthians 5:21), the indwelling presence of His Spirit (Romans 8:9–11; Ephesians 1:13–14), and the unshakeable hope of eternity with Him (John 14:1–3; 1 Peter 1:3–5). This is not passive waiting — it is active worship, surrender, and allegiance to the King who died for us, rose for us, intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34), and is coming for us.
Is Jesus the King of your heart? Zechariah's ancient prophecies and the full witness of Scripture together issue the same urgent invitation: receive the humble Shepherd as your Savior, crown Him Lord of your life, and await in confident hope the day He descends in glory to make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
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