By Leslie M. Grant
“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.” —Zechariah 12:3 NKJV
Zechariah, meaning “Jehovah remembers,” served the Lord at the same time as Haggai and focused his writing on Jerusalem. He reminded the people of God’s displeasure with their fathers as the reason for the punishment and bondage they had already experienced, an evident warning of what the city would yet suffer if they were like their fathers (1:4).
The prophecy then goes on to show how the eyes of God take account of the guilt of Jerusalem and of those nations who “would heave it away” (12:3). Jerusalem is God’s earthly center, and He will not tolerate the proud interference of men, whether in antagonism or patronizing protection of the city. It is God who will deal with and purge Jerusalem. The great Messiah whom the people had pierced will appear to them in the city and produce a profound repentance that nothing else could create (12:9-14). Then He will go forth and fight, and Judah will fight with Him against their oppressing enemies. Jerusalem will be the great center of all the earth, with every nation yielding allegiance to her – the city of the great King (14:1-21).
Let this speak to our hearts today, understanding that God’s center for His Church is not on earth but in heaven. That center is the blessed person of the risen Lord. God will tolerate neither rivals nor substitutes for this glorious Center.