Zechariah

Zechariah 12: Looking to the One they pierced

Begin in prayer

Before we read how the LORD defends Jerusalem and pours out grace, please bring our family to Him in prayer. Ask Him to show us the One who was pierced.

Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”

John 19:37

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You pour out grace so that sinners look to the One they pierced, and help us to see Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

This is a word from the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the earth’s foundation, and forms the spirit of man. He says He will make Jerusalem a cup that makes the peoples reel, and a burdensome stone that wounds all who lift it. All the nations of the earth will gather against Jerusalem, but the LORD will strike every horse with terror and every rider with madness. He will save the tents of Judah, defend the people of Jerusalem, and seek to destroy the nations that come against her. Then He says He will pour out on David’s house and Jerusalem’s people a spirit of grace and of supplication. They will look to Him whom they have pierced, and mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son. The mourning will be great, and every family will mourn apart.

As you read Zechariah 12, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD pours out a spirit of grace, and they look to Him whom they pierced.

Chapter 12 is a second message from the LORD, who made the heavens, the earth and the spirit of man (verse 1). Because He made everything, He can defend Jerusalem when all nations gather against her (verses 2 and 3). He says He will strike every horse with terror and every rider with madness (verse 4). Even the feeblest person in Jerusalem will be like David (verse 8). Then the message turns from the battle to the heart (verse 10). The LORD says He will pour on David’s house and Jerusalem’s people “the spirit of grace and of supplication.” Supplication means asking God for mercy, and the LORD gives that asking, so grace comes before the looking and the mourning. Then they look to “me whom they have pierced” and mourn for Him as for an only son (verse 10). John saw a soldier pierce Jesus’ side on the cross and pointed to this Scripture (John 19 verses 34 and 37).

How does Zechariah 12 show us that the LORD pours out a spirit of grace, and that they look to Him whom they pierced?

The LORD made all things, and He defends Jerusalem.

The LORD made the heavens and the earth, and He forms the spirit of man within him (verse 1). Jerusalem will be a burdensome stone, and all who burden themselves with it will be wounded (verse 3). The nations gather against it, but He strikes their horses with terror and their riders with madness (verses 3 and 4). He says He will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that even the feeblest will be like David (verse 8).

The LORD pours out a spirit of grace and of supplication.

The LORD says He will pour on David’s house and on Jerusalem’s people “the spirit of grace and of supplication” (verse 10). Supplication means asking God for mercy. The LORD Himself gives this asking, so His grace comes before their looking and their mourning.

They will look to the One they pierced and mourn.

The LORD says, “they will look to me whom they have pierced” (verse 10). Then they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son or a firstborn. The mourning will be great, and every family will mourn apart (verses 11 to 14). John saw a soldier pierce Jesus’ side on the cross, and he pointed to this Scripture (John 19 verses 34 and 37).

Memorise

I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced;

Zechariah 12:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, why do I need to look to Jesus, who was pierced?

The LORD said, “they will look to me whom they have pierced.” At the cross a soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear (John 19 verses 34 and 37). The One who was pierced is the Son of God, sent to save His people.

His people’s sins put Him there. He gave His life for them, and the debt of their sin was paid. That payment is enough. He rose from the dead, and the wound in His side could not hold Him.

Look to Him today. Be sorry for your sin, turn from it, and trust Jesus. God forgives all who look to His Son in this way.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus was pierced on the cross for His people, and that God gives grace to look to Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for pouring out grace, and for Jesus, the One who was pierced, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

Lord God, thank You for the grace that makes sinners look to Jesus. Thank You that He was pierced for His people. Please lead each one of us to be sorry for our sin, to turn from it, and to trust Him. Help us to look to Him this week. Amen.