“And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Prætorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭15‬-‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.15.15-21.KJV

“The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, And saith, Am not I in sport? Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭15‬-‭21‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.26.15-21.KJV

A Longing for Home

Going Deeper: Near the end of a 70-year exile, the Prophet Zechariah recorded this book of stories, dreams, and visions for a weary nation of Israel—to challenge them to remain faithful to their Covenant with God and to inspire hope for the future Kingdom of God.

The longing for home is an internal pull, a tug at our hearts with relentless yearning. Home is more than the physicality of a place; it's the embodiment of comfort, familiarity, and a sense of belonging.

Zechariah 14:9 is an answer to this heartfelt yearning: "The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name."

Near the end of Israel’s 70 years in exile, the prophet Zechariah wrote to a weary nation to remind them of God’s goodness, to remain faithful to God, and to inspire hope for the coming Kingdom of God.

Imagine the weariness of a nation estranged from their homeland for 70 long years, facing doubt and uncertainty about their future. Zechariah’s ...