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 words are not just a historical record; they are a lifeline, reminding a people worn by exile that their journey isn't without purpose or end. His words paint a picture of restoration—a glimpse into a future Kingdom where God's sovereignty reigns supreme.
Today, you may feel distanced from God’s purpose or promises for your life. If you’re longing for the comfort and belonging, Zechariah's encouragement holds true, even today. God's unwavering goodness and faithfulness never cease, and God has promised His followers that He will bring them home one day to a restored Kingdom (Revelation 21).
We can trust in a future Kingdom to come. Home is not that far off.
Truth Changes Everything
Think about the best news you've ever received in your life. Maybe it was a doctor walking into a waiting room and saying, "The surgery went perfectly." Maybe it was a phone call that said, "You got the job." Maybe it was two lines on a pregnancy test you'd been praying for.
Good news changes everything.
But none of those moments, as incredible as they are, even come close to the truth delivered on the first Easter morning:
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
Jesus had been crucified publicly, brutally, and officially. He was wrapped, sealed in a tomb. There was no question. Jesus was dead. It was true.
But when His followers Mary and Mary Magdalene arrived to grieve? The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And an angel met them with the most stunning announcement in human history.
But the angel doesn’t just tell the women the truth. He invites them to look for themselves. To step inside. To experience the...