We see a word for the people of God today. They are told that the Lord will rebuild and restore Judah. He will restore what the enemies have taken because His people are the open of His eye. But then we are told who His people are, all who call on upon His name. All the nations will turn to Him, and He will dwell in their midst. This, to me, turns my mind to Revelation and to where I will be preaching this Sunday in our sermon “The Marks of Church.” The church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The world needs more Christians, not less. No other church or Christian in our competition. All I want for every church in Madison, Gluckstadt, Jackson, and all of the Metro area is for them to grow and be blessed. We are all part of the same body, made up of all of who call on Jesus!

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this beautiful Tuesday as we continue our study of the prophet Zechariah. Our Vacation Bible School at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is off to a fantastic start. The energy is palpable with all the kids and volunteers excited and engaged. Please keep us in your prayers tonight as we continue with our theme, Camp Firefly. The decorations and activities have made it a truly special experience.

Today, we move forward in Zechariah, reading chapter 2, verses 6 to 13. This section serves as an interlude between visions, offering an important message to the people. Let’s read it together:

In this passage, Zechariah delivers a stirring call for the exiles to return from Babylon. God’s people are reassured of their special place in His heart with the beautiful phrase, “one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.” This expression vividly conveys God’s deep love and protective nature towards His people.

Verse 10 brings a joyful proclamation: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. This promise of God’s presence among His people is profound. It anticipates a future where many nations will join themselves to the Lord, becoming His people. This inclusive vision underscores the universality of God’s kingdom.

This theme of God dwelling among His people reminded me of the upcoming sermon series at St. Matthew’s on the Nicene Creed and the marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The Church is one, meaning all Christians, regardless of denomination, are united in Christ. It’s important to remember that our competition isn’t other churches, but rather the secular world that needs more Christians. The Church is holy, set apart from the world, and we are called to reflect God’s character.

The term “catholic” means universal. This passage from Zechariah beautifully illustrates this concept, showing that God’s people are drawn from every nation. Historically, the geographic center of Christianity has shifted—from the Holy Land to Europe, to America, and now to Africa. This diversity is a testament to the universal nature of the Church.

Zechariah’s message emphasizes that all who come to the Lord, regardless of background, are united in Him. This is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

As we live out our faith, it’s vital to support and pray for one another, even when we have theological differences. Our unity in Christ should be stronger than our disagreements. We can show the world a powerful witness of love and cooperation, working together to fulfill the Great Commission.

Zechariah’s vision is not just a future promise but a call to action today. Let’s strive to embody this unity and love in our churches and communities.

Tomorrow, we will continue with Zechariah chapter 3, diving into another powerful vision. Have a blessed day, and see you in the morning!