Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Nov 20 2019 - Zechariah 2 – A measuring line

This short chapter describes a vision in which Zechariah saw a man with a measuring line in his hand who was on his way, "To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is" (v. 2). This picks up the promise we read of in 1:16 where the Lord said, "I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem." What Zechariah sees are preparations for the rebuilding of the city.

But then Zechariah is told to run after the man with the measuring line and tell him that the Lord declares, "Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it … and I will be its glory within" (vv. 4-5). The city is going to be larger and more glorious than it had ever been before. It will need to be without walls or limits because of all the people it will need to contain; and not just people, for it will also embrace the animals that God has created – as in Eden, they too will enjoy dwelling in the presence of God. It will need no walls because God's presence will be its security, and walls of salvation will surround it (compare Isaiah 60:18-20). The city will be glorious because God himself will dwell there in glory.

The prophecy then calls not only for the Israelites to return from the nations where they have been scattered but also declares that people of many other nations will come to be joined to the Lord and his people (v. 11). The vision ends with the call for all mankind to be still before the Lord and to gaze in wonder at what he is now about to do.

This vision finds an echo in the Book of Revelation (as well as parallels in the prophecy of Ezekiel). In Revelation 21, John is given a vision of a new heaven and a new earth and of:

… the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Revelation 21:2-3)

The angel who shows John this vision has a measuring rod with which to measure the city. It is in the form of a cube (resembling the holy of holies in the temple – the place of God's dwelling), and is truly immense – about 1,400 miles long and wide and high. Though this city has walls, yet its gates are never shut. It is so filled with the glory of God's presence that it needs no other light and never knows the darkness of night. "The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendour into it… The glory and honour of the nations will be brought into it" (21:24,26).

Zechariah's vision and prophecy again point beyond anything that was realised in the life of the Jewish nation; they point forward to the Lord Jesus and to the "City of God" that, by virtue of his death, resurrection and ascension, he is populating. It will be the home of people from every nation under heaven yet they will all have this one thing in common, their "names are written in the Lamb’s book of life" (Revelation 21:27); they will all have been redeemed and made the people of God through the shed blood of the Lamb (see Revelation 5:9; 7:9).

Let me pick up one further phrase from this chapter. The Lord says that whoever touches his people, "touches the apple of his eye" (v. 8). This phrase owes its origin to the fact that if you look closely at someone else, their reflection is seen in the centre of your eye, in your pupil. They are the apple of your eye. The living God says his people are the apple of his eye; he always has them in his vision and looks upon them with a loving gaze. He delights in us and calls us to delight in him.

Father God, we stand amazed at the depth and extent of your great love for us shown in the Lord Jesus. As we rejoice in our salvation and long for its consummation in the new creation that will appear at Christ's coming, help us to tell others that the doors of your kingdom are opened wide and that you long for them also to come in.

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Nov 20 2020 - John 13:1-30 – The servant is not greater than his master

John alone among the Evangelists tells of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. It was an act of love (see 13:1), foreshadowing that ultimate act of love that was now just a few hours away.

But John introduces this extraordinary incident in an equally extraordinary manner. He tells us that Jesus knew that the Father had placed everything in his hands and that he had come from the Father and was about to return to the Father. It was this knowledge that prompted Jesus to rise from the table and set about the task of the most menial of servants. Knowledge that he is Lord of all enables Jesus to act as servant of all.

In this act Jesus shows what he has come into the world to do. He came not to be served but to serve and to lay down his life as a ransom for many. His entire ministry was one of service. He ministered to the crowds in all their need, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, teaching them about the kingdom, not only through parables but also by the character of his life. He had time also for individuals in all their varied needs: the woman at the well in Samaria; Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector; Lazarus his beloved friend whom he raised from the dead. His life was lived entirely for the blessing and benefit of others.

And Jesus taught his disciples that he and the Father are one. He does only what the Father has given him to do and says only what the Father has first spoken to him. He is the one who reveals the Father heart of God.

Those who do not believe in God accuse us of creating a projection of our own need for an authority figure. Sadly, that is sometimes what we do. We are used to human models of authority. Those with positions of great authority and power in this world are often domineering and demanding. All too often we project this image upon God and imagine that he is there to whip us into shape and to bark out the orders.

Jesus shows us what God is really like. He declares, “I and the Father are one.” Make no mistake, God is God; he is the sovereign ruler of the universe. But he is also the God who stoops and serves. He is filled with love and compassion towards the world he has made, determined to give himself to its mending and flourishing. Jesus shows us what God is like and forces us to throw away all those distorted images based on twisted human models of power.

It’s not always easy to live with such a Lord – see Peter’s response in 13:8. We seem to be more comfortable with law than grace.

Having washed the disciples’ feet, Jesus then says that he has left them an example that they should do as he has done. Confidence in who we are and where we are going should drive us also to joyful acts of selfless service. “If you know such things you will be blessed if you do them.” We were created that we might image God. We need to learn afresh what this means. We need to stop being precious about our own dignity and jockeying for position in the kingdom. We need to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. In this way we will show the world what God is really like.

Father God, thank you that you do not treat us as our sins deserve but are full of compassion and intent to bless. You did not spare your own Son but gave him for our redemption. Thank you that he is the image of the invisible God, the one who has revealed your character. Help me by your Spirit to be conformed to the image of your Son; make me like Jesus. As his character is formed in me, help me to serve others and so to make you known.

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Peter Misselbrook