March 4, 2026 – Lent Text: Zechariah 13:7-9
Dear Friends in Christ,
When have you had to scatter? Was it at that time in college when you were at a party and the campus police came calling? Was it the time you experienced a panic attack, and you just had to leave the environment around you? Was it the time you were burning your draft card, enjoying free love and the national guard pulled into town? Or did you ever experience a fire or toxic fumes where a quick getaway was in your best interest? Maybe you are like me, and you like to scatter in public places to avoid congestion.
Tonight, in our “It Is Finished” theme for Lent the prophet Zechariah has a prophecy about a scattering. People are going to flee that you would not expect. What would make you want to “get out of Dodge” as they say?
“SCATTERED SHEEP”
The prophet opens this way, “’Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,’ declares the Lord of hosts. ‘Strike the shepherd.’” (v. 7). Parents are supposed to love and protect their kids. Yet God sent a sword against His own Son. We might understand if the Shepherd had been delinquent in His duties, but he had performed flawlessly and selflessly. He tended the sheep, and they trusted Him. So why would the Lord strike down this ideal caretaker who had done everything a faithful shepherd was supposed to do?
You know why: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” (Jn. 3:16). A faithful shepherd places himself between the flock and danger. In this case the danger was God’s holy anger at sheep who would not listen. Sheep like us who wander onto trails of temptation that turn into traps. Pleasures that turn into pain. Yet in his great love, the sword of the Lord struck the Shepherd, not the sheep. “We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6)
There is more to Zechariah’s prophecy and isn’t cheerful. “’Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones. In the whole land, declares the Lord, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third will be left alive.” (Vs. 7b-8).
Many in Jesus’ day, as in Zechariah’s day, wanted a Savior of power, prosperity, comfort, ease, and their best life right now. When Jesus said it wouldn’t be that way, many left him to await a more satisfying Savior. En route to the Mount of Olives Jesus quoted these words to the disciples. What happened? They scattered in fear. Ran to a parent, a wife, their baby blanket or favorite stuffed toy! Because Jesus also told them they would be put in the fire and refined. Somebody, hep me, hep me.
Yikes! We inwardly hope we will not be called to endure such tests. A life of health, financial security, no conflict relationships, and all-around good cheer is much more appealing. Many seek only a Savior who will give them this kind of life.
See how the refining changed the apostles? It made them stronger for what faced them in the early church, on their missionary journeys and in their martyrdom. Our trials are not easy. Do you think you have been refined too much? Remember you have an ally that has already been through the fire. In my recent kidney stone pain, before the wondrous shot, I was praying. It helped. The pain brought the prayer. Refining was taking place as I thought about Jesus’ pain.
Like the disciples, we have an imperfect faith. We have fled from the enemy, wilted under the truth, and our devotion from a distance has often led us to scatter from the heat of battle. If you have done that, remember the Good Shepherd allowed those timid sheep to return. He has been praying for you in your trials. He knows that after the test your faith will emerge from the fire purer and stronger. He has already purified you of sin when he was struck by the sword for you.
Zechariah describes the result of this refining process: “They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” (v. 9b)
When your faith falters, you can still proclaim, “The Lord is my God.” When Satan whispers you are eternally lost for scattering, you can still boast, “The Lord is my God.” And when your Father hears your confession of faith, he will proudly say, “These are my people.”
Amen.