Zechariah 12.1-13.9 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=zech+12.1-13.9
Titus 1.1-2.6 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Titus+1.1-2.6
In Zechariah we see a picture of God's protection of Jerusalem and Judah. Though in the past chapter we saw that the people are self destructing and that they are guided by worthless shepherds, and that Israel is doomed to perish, God is going to keep his eyes on Jerusalem and Judah. Despite their evil, the Father who comes as judge and destroyer is going to bring protection, salvation, and inhabitation for Jerusalem.
Look at the prophetic statements of Christ's death as in 12.10 people look on the one they pierced and in 13.1 God opens a fountain of cleansing. The people realize their sin and God's protection.
What is the aftermath of God's cleansing? People cease to speak untruth in their own ability claiming God's approval on it. Their fellow countrymen will not accept it. God proclaims that these worthless shepherds will be struck. The sheep will be scattered and destroyed.
Where's the Gospel in this? A remnant will survive, be cleansed, and protected by God, just like Jerusalem survived, was cleansed, and was protected by God. We can have confidence that the God of Israel will not forsake his people. He will save, cleanse, and protect his people in the day of judgment and wrath.
As we turn our attention to Titus 1-2. Rather than work in detail with the entire passage, just look at the first four verses of Titus 1. Paul expresses that same knowledge of God's protection of his elect. God has chosen apostles, like Paul, for building believers up in the truth. This truth of the Gospel gives hope. It's a promise of God, which has been promised from all eternity. How is the truth of the Gospel revealed? It's shown in the word of God by the means of preaching, which is a command of God.
So often, when times are rough, we are prone to look to our own wisdom and our own plans for hope, protection, and safety. Yet we have seen today what that wisdom accomplished in the time of Zechariah. As we look at ourselves honestly, we see we are no different. Our hope turns to despair, our protection to vulnerability, and our safety to imminent danger. Our wisdom is indeed foolish before God. We should not hope in our own wisdom, our own ability, to encourage and protect God's people. We look to God in Christ as revealed in Scripture. This is where we find hope, rather than man-made despair. This is where we find a permanent command, as opposed to our own opinions, which are fleeting at best.
Do you love the proclamation of the Scripture? It is God's command to his shepherds that they heal and protect the flock through use of the Scripture proclaimed and applied to the lives of believers. We dare not shun this proclamation of the Gospel, which is God's provision for his people.
In the remaining verses of Titus 1-2 God lays out qualifications for leaders in the Church. It has often been observed that the character qualities specified here should not be foreign to any believer. God uses perfectly normal Christians to guide his Church. It isn't our wisdom or leadership ability that brings healing and life. It is the Word of God.
Speak the truth. Hear the truth. Live by the truth.
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