February 26, 2003
Reading:
Zechariah 6:9-15
“He shall build
the temple of the LORD” (12)
Jesus is known by many names, all of which
refer to different aspects of His Person or ministry. One name referred to in
the Old Testament, but not in the New, is “The Branch.” On
six occasions and by three prophets this wonderful name of the Messiah used.
The Hebrew word ‘tsemach’ means ‘bud’ or ‘sprout’ and is used
accordingly throughout the O.T. (Isa 61:11; Ezek
16:7).
In five of the six references to
“The Branch” the prophets speak of “in that day” or “in those days”, clearly
speaking of the day of the Messiah. Isaiah tells us He will be beautiful and
glorious (Isa 4:2) and will be a shoot out of the
stock of Jesse (Isa 11:1). Jeremiah speaks of Him as
“a righteous Branch” (Jer 23:5; 33:15), while in
Zechariah God reveals Him as “my servant the Branch” (Zech 3:8). It is however,
to the other reference in Zechariah that I am drawn today (Zech 6:12) – “Behold, the Man whose name is the
BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out (grow up), and He shall build the
temple of the LORD.”
Zechariah was called to prophesy in
the days following the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon.
With all good intent, the people began rebuilding the temple after it had been
demolished by Nebuchadnezzar 70 years before, but, once they had laid the
foundation, they abandoned the job due to some opposition. Zechariah, along
with Haggai, was called of God to get them back into the building mode (Ezra 6:14). In the middle of his prophecy the Lord
speaks of another temple to be built – the true temple - “Yes, (you are
building a temple of the Lord, but) it is He Who shall build the (true) temple”
(The Amplified Bible). The Messiah Himself will be the Architect and Builder. Jesus
said, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades
shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18).
Unlike the Jews, no matter the intensity of the opposition, nothing (even hell
itself) will keep this Builder from accomplishing the job.
We can be sure this “true Temple”
will be perfect because He Himself will both “rule on His throne” and “be a
priest” in it (Zech 6:13). Jesus is both King and Priest in His new Temple
– He will rule and counsel from His throne and all the glory will be His. What
a glorious picture of the church and Christ’s relationship with it.
Paul speaks of this “true” temple
in two ways – first, as the church which includes every true believer, every
one who is born again: “Do you not know that you are the temple
of God and that the Spirit of God
dwells in you?” 1 Cor 3:16-17. We are “God’s building” (3:9) and Jesus Christ
(Messiah) is the Foundation (3:11).
Second, as individual believers: “Do you not know that your body is the temple
of the Holy Spirit who is in you” (1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16). In another place Paul speaks of Jesus
Christ as the “Chief Corner-stone” and the church as His building: “In whom the
whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in
whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the
Spirit” (Eph 2:21-22.
When the construction of the church
(the true temple) is complete and the Holy
City, the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:10) descends from heaven, it will
contain a new Temple, the final
one. The Heavenly Father and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) will no longer dwell in it
for they are the Temple and we will
dwell with them for eternity. All that the O.T.
Temple typified is fulfilled in the
Person and work of the Branch, Jesus Christ. He is building His church. The
construction has no flaws. In it He rules as King and counsels as Priest. He is
“beautiful and glorious” (Isa 4:2). As “living
stones” (1 Peter 2:5) let us seek to glorify Him in all we are and do.
