Book: The Way of the Word: Chapter 38: Zechariah: The King is Coming
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 9
- 9 min read
We often think of the prophets as messengers of doom, standing on street corners with heavy scrolls and heavier hearts. But when you step into the world of Zechariah, especially these final chapters, you aren’t just looking at a warning. You are looking at a blueprint. You are looking at a vision of a King who doesn't just show up to fix things; He shows up to transform everything.
Zechariah 9 through 14 is some of the most intense, visually rich, and Christ-centered territory in the entire Old Testament. It’s where the "not yet" of the exiles’ hope meets the "already" of God’s sovereign plan. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living in a world that’s waiting for something better, Zechariah is writing directly to you. He’s telling us that the King isn't just a distant promise. He is coming. And the way He comes changes everything about how we live while we wait.
The Paradox of the Humble King
When Zechariah picks up the pen in Chapter 9, the atmosphere is heavy with the weight of empires. Alexander the Great is on the horizon, and the surrounding nations are trembling. But in the midst of this global shaking, God speaks a word of peace to His people. He tells them to rejoice, not because their army is getting bigger, but because their King is getting closer.
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)
This is one of the most famous verses in the Bible, and for good reason. It’s the ultimate paradox. In the ancient world, if a king was coming for war, he rode a stallion. If he was coming in peace, he rode a donkey. Zechariah is describing a King who is "righteous and having salvation," yet He chooses the path of humility.
This isn't just a nice sentiment; it’s a direct challenge to our definition of power. We tend to think that change happens through force, through winning arguments, or through gaining the upper hand. But the King of Zechariah shows us that the most profound change, the kind that actually saves souls and heals nations, comes through humility.
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem centuries later on that very donkey, He wasn't just fulfilling a checklist of prophecies. He was announcing the arrival of a new kind of Kingdom. A Kingdom where the first are last, where the humble are exalted, and where peace is won not through the blood of enemies, but through the blood of the King.
The True Shepherd vs. The Hired Hands
As we move into Chapters 10 and 11, the metaphor shifts from kingship to shepherdry. This is a recurring theme in Scripture, but Zechariah gives it a sharp, almost painful edge. He looks at the leaders of the people, the "shepherds" who were supposed to care for the flock, and he sees nothing but neglect.
The people are wandering like sheep without a shepherd because their leaders are focused on their own gain. God’s response is to step in personally. He promises to visit His flock and make them like "proud war horses in battle." He promises to be the cornerstone, the tent peg, and the battle bow.
But then comes the tragedy of Chapter 11. Zechariah is told to act out the role of a Good Shepherd who is eventually rejected by the flock. He asks for his wages, and they give him thirty pieces of silver, the price of a common slave. It’s a staggering moment of insult. God Himself, through His prophet, is saying, "This is what you think I’m worth? The price of a slave?"
If that thirty pieces of silver sounds familiar, it should. It’s the exact amount Judas Iscariot accepted to betray Jesus. Zechariah is showing us the cost of rejection. When we reject the Good Shepherd, we aren't just making a "personal choice." We are handing ourselves over to "worthless shepherds" who will exploit us.
We see this in our own lives all the time. Whenever we look for guidance, fulfillment, or identity in anything other than Christ, we are following a shepherd that doesn't care for our souls. Zechariah warns us that the rejection of the True Shepherd leads to a breaking of unity and a loss of favor. But even in this darkness, God is working a plan that the silver could never buy.
The Pierced One and the Spirit of Grace
Chapter 12 brings us to the heart of the mystery. It describes a time when Jerusalem will be surrounded by nations, a "heavy stone" that everyone tries to move but only gets hurt by. But the victory doesn't come through military strategy. It comes through a spiritual awakening.
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12:10)
Think about that for a second. God says, "They will look on me, the one they have pierced." This is one of the clearest moments in the Old Testament where the deity of Christ is on full display. The one who was pierced on the cross wasn't just a good man or a martyr; He was God in the flesh.
This mourning isn't a funeral; it’s a repentance. It’s the kind of deep, gut-wrenching sorrow that happens when you finally realize that the very person you ignored or rejected is the one who was dying for you. Zechariah tells us that this mourning will be universal, every family, every clan, everyone will face the reality of what happened to the Pierced One.
But notice what triggers it: the "spirit of grace and supplication." We cannot even repent on our own. We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see the beauty of the King and the weight of our own sin. This is the core of our faith. We look to the cross, we see the one we pierced, and we allow the Spirit of grace to do its work in our hearts.
The Fountain for Sin and the Refined Remnant
In Chapter 13, the result of that mourning is revealed. A fountain is opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
This isn't a fountain of water; it’s a fountain of life. It’s the answer to every stain we’ve ever carried. The imagery here is powerful. In the ancient world, uncleanness meant separation. If you were "unclean," you couldn't enter the presence of God. Zechariah is saying that the King who was pierced has opened a way for us to be permanently clean.
But the path to that fountain involves a "striking."
“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.” (Zechariah 13:7)
Jesus quoted this verse in the Garden of Gethsemane right before He was arrested. He knew He was the Shepherd being struck. He knew His disciples would scatter. He knew that the only way to open the fountain was for the Shepherd to take the strike intended for the sheep.
Zechariah also tells us that the result of this striking is a refining process. Two-thirds are struck down, but one-third is brought through the fire. God says of them, "They are my people," and they say, "The Lord is our God." This is the beauty of the Gospel, even in the midst of scattering and fire, God is refining a people who truly know Him. He doesn't just want a crowd; He wants a remnant that has been purified by His grace.
The Final Day: Holiness in the Commonplace
Finally, we arrive at Chapter 14, the climax of the entire book. It describes the "Day of the Lord." It’s an epic, cosmic vision of God descending to fight for His people.
The imagery is vivid: the Mount of Olives splitting in two, creating a valley of escape. Living waters flowing from Jerusalem, going east and west. No more darkness, only light. And the central, earth-shaking declaration:
“The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” (Zechariah 14:9)
This is where all of history is headed. We live in a world of competing names, competing ideologies, and competing kings. But Zechariah is pulling back the curtain to show us the finish line. There will come a day when the Lord isn't just a "personal Savior" or a "religious figure." He will be King over the whole earth.
The chapter ends with a surprising detail. It says that even the bells on the horses and the cooking pots in the Lord’s house will be inscribed with the words: "Holy to the Lord."
In the Old Testament, "Holy to the Lord" was written on the gold plate on the High Priest’s forehead. It was the most sacred, exclusive label imaginable. But Zechariah says that when the King comes, holiness won't be confined to the temple. It will saturate the commonplace. It will be on the horse bells and the kitchen pots.
This is the ultimate goal of our discipleship. We aren't just trying to be "religious" on Sundays. We are learning how to live in such a way that every part of our lives, our work, our relationships, our hobbies, our simple daily routines, is "Holy to the Lord." We are practicing for the day when the whole earth will be filled with His glory.
Living as Citizens of the Coming Kingdom
So, what do we do with a book like Zechariah? How does the "King is Coming" affect our Monday mornings?
First, it gives us perspective. When we see the nations shaking and the "shepherds" of our world failing, we don't have to panic. We know who the real King is. We know that He is righteous and victorious, and He is not surprised by the chaos. Our hope isn't in a political leader or a cultural shift; our hope is in the one who rides the donkey and stands on the Mount of Olives.
Second, it calls us to repentance. If we have pierced Him with our sin, we should mourn. We shouldn't run from the conviction of the Holy Spirit; we should run toward the fountain. Grace isn't an excuse to stay the same; it’s the power to be cleansed.
Third, it invites us into refinement. If you are going through a "fire" right now, don't assume God has abandoned you. He might be refining you. He is making you into the kind of person who can stand in His presence and say with full assurance, "The Lord is my God."
Finally, it motivates us to holiness. If everything is going to be "Holy to the Lord" one day, why not start now? Why not ask God to sanctify your conversations, your finances, and your quiet moments? Let’s live like people who actually believe the King is on His way.
The King is coming. He came once in humility to open the fountain. He is coming again in glory to rule the earth. Between those two arrivals, we live as His people, refined by His fire and washed in His grace.
Reflection Questions
When you think of "power," do you think of force or the humility of the King on a donkey? How does Jesus' example challenge your approach to conflict?
Are there "worthless shepherds" you've been following lately, things like money, status, or even your own ego? What would it look like to return to the Good Shepherd today?
Zechariah 12 says the Spirit of grace leads us to mourn for our sin. Have you allowed yourself to be truly honest with God about the things that "pierce" His heart?
What "cooking pots" or "horse bells" in your life, the ordinary, everyday things, need to be dedicated as "Holy to the Lord"?
How does the promise that "the Lord will be king over the whole earth" change your view of the current global headlines?
The King isn't asking for your perfection; He’s asking for your presence. He wants to walk with you through the fire and lead you to the living waters. The wait might feel long, but the promise is certain.
About Layne McDonald, Ph.D.
Dr. Layne McDonald is an author, teacher, and creative dedicated to helping people understand the deep truths of Scripture and apply them to modern life. With a focus on biblical theology and cultural discernment, he creates resources that guide believers toward emotional healing, spiritual growth, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the author of numerous books and Bible studies aimed at equipping the Church for the days ahead.
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If the King is coming to rule the whole earth, are you ready for Him to start with your heart?
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