Saturday, December 21, 2013
Day 349 – Zechariah 1-2, Psalm 134, Mark 12
Sometimes, as we drift into sleep, or slowly wake up on a
rare day without an alarm clock, we can dream and think at the same time. Every once and a while in this cognitive state of sleep we can interact with our dreams. We can guide them and be guided by them. The majority of Zechariah is a
night vision. It is a divine dream that Zechariah interacts with and dialogs with. Zechariah both sees and converses with the vision. Zechariah both sees and asks.
This night vision illustrates the importance of Jerusalem
to the Lord. In this vision Zechariah sees men and angels and then asks
about their intentions. One man has been sent to measure
Jerusalem. With his stick, this man measures a Jerusalem that is much larger
than before. This Jerusalem, which exceeds its predecessor’s
size, demonstrates the Lord’s love for the city and intention to restore her.
LikeHaggai, Zechariah is concerned with the rebuilding of the
city. There is also a cry for the exiles to return; particularly for those who
are in the north. Together they will make a country that is better then before.
Together they will surpass the past. Together there will be a
holy land, Zechariah 2:12. This is the one and only
time that this region is called the Holy Land in the Bible.
Hopefully peace can prevail in this region. Hopefully
Jerusalem can become a beacon of hope for all people and not just a place of
conflict. Hopefully it is not just a dream.
The Rev. Spencer B. Potter
Day 349 – Zechariah 1-2, Psalm 134, Mark 12
Sometimes, as we drift into sleep, or slowly wake up on a
rare day without an alarm clock, we can dream and think at the same time. Every once and a while in this cognitive state of sleep we can interact with our dreams. We can guide them and be guided by them. The majority of Zechariah is a
night vision. It is a divine dream that Zechariah interacts with and dialogs with. Zechariah both sees and converses with the vision. Zechariah both sees and asks.
This night vision illustrates the importance of Jerusalem
to the Lord. In this vision Zechariah sees men and angels and then asks
about their intentions. One man has been sent to measure
Jerusalem. With his stick, this man measures a Jerusalem that is much larger
than before. This Jerusalem, which exceeds its predecessor’s
size, demonstrates the Lord’s love for the city and intention to restore her.
LikeHaggai, Zechariah is concerned with the rebuilding of the
city. There is also a cry for the exiles to return; particularly for those who
are in the north. Together they will make a country that is better then before.
Together they will surpass the past. Together there will be a
holy land, Zechariah 2:12. This is the one and only
time that this region is called the Holy Land in the Bible.
Hopefully peace can prevail in this region. Hopefully
Jerusalem can become a beacon of hope for all people and not just a place of
conflict. Hopefully it is not just a dream.
The Rev. Spencer B. Potter