783. ZEC 12:10. THE SPIRIT OF GRACE AND SUPPLICATIONS

Zec_12:10. The Spirit of Grace and Supplications

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his first-born."’97Zec_12:10.

This is a very striking prophecy, and was delivered many centuries before its accomplishment. Its fulfilment was fully and minutely realized in the penitence and conversion of the three thousand on the day of pentecost. It has, however, been supposed that the complete accomplishment of this prediction is yet future; when the whole Jewish people shall own their long rejected Messiah, and return to him with believing minds and penitent hearts. How glorious will that day be! How we should rejoice to see the long despised and persecuted children of Abraham, gathered out of all nations to worship and adore the Saviour of sinners. We think, however, this passage may be spiritually instructive and edifying in its application to sinners generally, who are brought to an acknowledgment of Christ Jesus. It is to this view of the text we therefore invite your attention. Let us then consider,

I. The characters specified.

II. The promise given. And,

III. The results affirmed. I. The characters specified.

Literally the Jewish people,’97the house of David, &c. But we just refer to what is said concerning them in that portion of the text. "Him whom they have pierced." No doubt exists as to the signification of this. It refers to Christ and his sufferings on the cross. See Joh_19:30, &c. But you say this will only apply to the soldiers, or, at the most, to the Jews who put him to death. We observe that they acted according to the evil of the human heart; and all sinners who reject Jesus imitate their conduct, and are guilty of their sin. The self-righteous now treat Christ as the Pharisees did. The despisers of Christ now treat him as the chief of the Jews did. The skeptics now treat Christ as the scribes and Pharisees did. The worldlings now as those who were bidden to the Jewish gospel feast, but who all began with one consent to make excuse. The timid and half-hearted now desert Christ as his friends and disciples did at his apprehension, &c. Backsliders now follow Christ at a distance, and deny him as Peter did. And all haters of Christ and the gospel have the same spirit that could crucify him, yea, that mocked him and pierced him on the cross. Let us observe that all sinners who reject the gospel pierce him,

1. By their unbelief.

To despise the testimony, and treat what is said as false, is the greatest possible indignity that you can offer to another. Unbelief thus treats Christ. It rejects as false, or as of no importance, the truths of his holy gospel. It thus reflects on his purity and truth, and pierces the immaculate soul of God’s Son.

2. By ungratefulness.

The advent of Jesus into our world was on an errand of mercy. He came to enlighten the ignorant, heal the diseased, emancipate the enslaved, and deliver the wretched from sin, misery, and eternal death. He came to do all this by substituting himself, and enduring the deserved punishment of the guilty. But Jesus in these striking manifestations of his love is forgotten and ungratefully neglected by the unconverted sinner, and the height of this ingratitude is in proportion to the dignity of the person, and the preciousness of the blessings which are iniquitously despised.

3. By carnal hostility.

Sin is not only ungratefulness, but hostility to Jesus. It was sin that brought him down from his throne, &c. Sin is an attack on his love, on his goodness, on his purity, on his kindness. He came to destroy the works of the devil, &c. Sin upholds them. Sin is leagued with Satan and the world to oppose Christ, to betray him, to sell him, and put him to death. Then we are the characters specified in the text. Notice, then,

II. The promise given.

"I will pour," &c. The gospel dispensation is the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Christ engaged to send the Holy Ghost, &c. He was poured out on the Jay of pentecost, &c. Now the gospel contains the mind of the Spirit. The love of the Spirit. And it is the power of the Spirit and sword of the Spirit. Wherever it comes, the Holy Spirit of God comes. For it is the great instrument of the Spirit in extending the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The gospel and the Spirit go together, and the reception of the gospel is the reception of the Spirit. See Act_2:37. "Our gospel came to you, not in word only," &c. Now this gospel is full,

1. Of the spirit of grace.

It makes known God’s grace; hence it is called the grace of God that brought salvation, &c. It announces the favor of God. It offers pardon and eternal life.

2. It produces in the soul of its recipients the spirit of supplication.

The converted Jews cried out, "Men and brethren," &c. It leads the mind to see the evil and peril of its state, and excites a deep longing for deliverance. As the gospel is addressed and received, one cries out, "Lord, save me, or I perish;" "Lord, help me;" "Lord, that I may receive my sight;" "Son of David, have mercy upon me;" "Lord, if thou canst do any thing for us," &c.

III. The results affirmed.

1. Christ shall be the object of their supreme attention.

For this purpose Christ is lifted up. "Look unto me," &c. "Behold the Lamb of God," &c. "As Moses lifted up," &c.

2. Deep humiliation and contrition shall be expressed.

They shall mourn, &c. Observe this mourning,

(1.) Shall be chiefly for Christ, i. e., on his account.

There may be many other grounds of mourning, but this will be the chief. My sin abased the condition, and crucified the holy and blessed Jesus.

(2.) It shall be very pungent and intense.

Heavy heart. The spirit bowed down. Worldly comforts rejected. Mourn as for an only son,’97for the first-born, &c.

(3.) Allow me to add, this mourning shall be turned into ecstasy and joy.

"Blessed are they that mourn," &c. "Go in peace," &c. One look to the cross breaks the heart,’97another heals it. One look condemns,’97another justifies. One pierces,’97another solaces. One beholds the wrath of God against sin, and the other the mercy of God to the worthless sinner.

Application

1. How many have felt this godly sorrow, &c.? Now glory, &c., in the cross of Christ.

2. Urge all to look on Jesus, &c.

3. The whole world will at last behold him.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS