“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me” declares the LORD of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.” (Zechariah 13.7)
From the beginning, God has planned for Jesus to be the answer for sin. As the power of the nation of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, wanes, God’s last prophets prepare for Jesus’ coming. In John 10 Jesus declares Himself the “good shepherd” and He is also the One we read of in Zechariah. While Jesus willingly lays down His life for the sheep, He lays it down to the sword of God- that is to God’s plan and purpose. God has empowered evil men to take the life of His willing Son. Why? Because without the permission of God they would have no power to accomplish what He has foreordained.
We see the sheep scattered as Jesus is crucified without a friend. All His followers desert Him as He is mocked, beaten, and crucified. God’s hand indeed acts against us in a certain way- correction. There is a tremendous difference in a boxer striking his opponent and a father disciplining his child. So, correction is offered. Hebrews 12 discusses the benefit of receiving the discipline of God and growing from the correction offered.
“In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. 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.’” (Zechariah 13.8-9)
The life of a Christian is not without its difficulties. There are things we may not understand- why is God allowing _____. Repeatedly in scripture we find God asking difficult things of mankind. This is never to show the “indominable spirit” of man. It is never to show off the accomplishments of which man is capable. It is always to show that God can handle anything and can help you to be something you could never be without Him. He is my God, surely, He calls me His child.