Zechariah 12.1-10

This passage continues the stream of multiple Messianic prophecies--more than any other minor prophet, I think (though I haven't done a complete count). Verse 10 in today's passage is quoted by John when describing the Roman soldier piercing Jesus' side at his crucifixion. But what about mourning? There is no record of widespread mourning at Jesus' death as described here. Many of the church fathers found final fulfillment of this passage in Jesus' second coming and judgment when the world will look upon the pierced one who has come to judge sin in the last days. As St. Augustine wrote, at the final judgment "it is not only the just but also the wicked, those on the right, these on the left, who will see that form which he pleased to take on for us. Even those who killed him 'will look on the one whom they have pierced.' So 'all flesh shall see the salvation of God'" (Augustine, Sermon 277).

Luke 19.1-10

The account of Jesus and Zacchaeus is familiar to all Christians. It is a story many of us first sang about as young children. Jesus shows mercy, grace, and love to Zacchaeus, who was explicitly despised by everyone as a 'sinful man.' The tax man was hated even more in the first century than today. But Christ loved him as he loves all and extended mercy to him as he does to all. Zacchaeus responds to Jesus' gift through good works of charity and restitution. St. Cyprian points out the connection between faith and deeds in his comparison of Abraham to Zacchaeus. He writes, "If Abraham believed in God and it was accounted to him as righteousness, then he who gives alms according to the command of God certainly believes in God. He that possesses the true faith keeps the fear of God. Moreover, he keeps the fear of God by showing mercy to the poor" (Cyprian, Works and Almsgiving). As Abraham and Zacchaeus demonstrated their faith by their works, as a good plant produces good fruit, so our lives should--as a result of our salvation--bear good works to the benefit of those around us and the glory of God.