3 October 2023

Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favour of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from nations of every language shall take hold of a Jew, grasping his garment and saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’

From Zechariah 8:20-23, NRSV

In today’s reading we hear further words of encouragement from God towards the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem following their time of exile in Babylon. God reminds them that they possess something very special – so special that many others from the gentile nations will want it also and will need the help of the Jews to find it. In their fidelity to the task of rebuilding the temple and re-establishing the city, the Jews did indeed draw many people to worship in Jerusalem – especially at times of festival. For Christians, Zechariah’s prophecy calls to mind the occasion on which the apostles received the gift of the Holy Spirit and the ability to go out and proclaim Christ to the people from the variety of nations gathered there. This marked the beginning of their mission to the whole world – a mission that was made possible by the faith of the Jewish people.