Imprint Community Church Imprint Community Church: Baltimore, MD

James ends his letter with some encouragement for Christians enduring seasons of suffering. He exhorts us to wait with patient hope, trusting in Jesus to bring about the relief, the vindication, and the blessing he has promised in due time.

Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonian church with a litany of ethical instructions, mostly concerning how to pursue sanctification in the context of a local church. But his final words, after this long list of commands, is an assurance: God himself will accomplish this work in you by his grace. May this exhortation and encouragement spur on God's people to invest deeply in their local church, and to trust fully in God's redeeming grace in the gospel.

Zechariah's final prophetic oracle is a richly symbolic vision of the blessed future of God's people. The prophet pronounces coming judgment on God's enemies, and promises final salvation for his chosen ones. Relying on the familiar prophetic language of "the Day of the Lord," Zechariah comforts Israel with assurance that God will defend them, cleanse them, and dwell with them in safety.

In Zechariah 9-11, the prophet preaches a divine message of indictment on Israel's "worthless shepherds" - those leaders who had failed to properly care for Yahweh's flock - and promises the coming of a Shepherd-King who will faithfully tend to the needs of his people. This prophetic message contains strong implications for those in positions of authority - especially spiritual authority - and rich encouragement concerning the Shepherd-King he has sent to us in Jesus Christ.

After Zechariah's series of night visions, he delivers two sermons in chapters 7 and 8 that offer the people of God a somber warning concerning the danger of empty religion, and a glorious promise concerning the blessing of covenant obedience. With God's heart for his people shining clear as day, he then clarifies his calling on them to live as a just and righteous people.

The first half of Zechariah's book ends with a poignant "sign act" - a public, visible action that depicts an important spiritual truth for God's people. As Zechariah performs this public act - fashioning a crown from gold and silver brought back from Babylon, and placing it on the head of Joshua the high priest - God's people receive a message of glorious grace. God will unite his people under the faithful leadership of his anointed King and Priest. This is good news not only for the Jews living in Zechariah's day, but for all people throughout the ages who will put their trust in God's Messiah, Jesus Christ.