Bring It Into Focus
Today I wanted to share something with you that I had recently learned. In my spare time, I am searching scripture for Messianic prophecies. These prophecies give a glimpse into the coming Son of God, Jesus Christ. One interesting lesson I learned recently comes from the prophecy regarding Jesus Christ’s “zeal.” Now before we go into anything else, we need to understand that there are several passages in the Old Testemant prophesying this and New Testament passages describing the fulfillments. Today I am not going to do a compare and contrast, but more of a study on understanding the word “Zeal.” This is not intended to be a word study but rather something more, I wish to delve in deeper within the context so that we can better appreciate the reasoning behind the word and the Old and New Testamanet verses regarding it.
We must first come to grips that in the Bible zeal does not mean what many of us have been brought up to picture. In fact in Jesus’s day, it had a dual meaning. The first meaning was very much what we picture now, someone who is crazy, nonsensical or irrational individual focused on something equally as consuming as what they have devoted to it. Historically speaking, you can probably think of the Jews who were inspired by Judas the Galilean. Judas fought the Romans and was considered the founding father of the patriotic party. This was during Cyrenius rule as the Roman governor. When this party failed they became a group of assassins, thus the term Zealot is influenced much by what we think today.
Now I must admit that when I first read Luke 6:15 “and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot” I pictured Simon being this rough, jerk style person always screaming to people to accept Jesus. You can probably picture it in your head now. We see the types today, screaming with their microphones demanding to be heard. People stand and argue with them and yet none are saved. This is what I thought. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The term prior to Judas the Galilean carried a quite different meaning. The term was much more favorable. In Herbert Lockyer’s book All The Messianic Prophecies of the Bible he states the following, “the word zeal is from a root meaning ‘to boil se the,’ and in a wrong sense covers any vehement passion, especially jealousy. In a right sense it implies enthusiasm, fervor, warmth in endeavor.” When we see this, we get a completely different look at Simon. Simon now seems as someone who is the warm joy in the group, always wanting to help others smile and be encouraged.
Nevertheless, as stated before the term does carry both ideas, and we can see both in Jesus. Look at Psalm 69:9 “For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.” Here we have a direct prophecy of what Jesus Christ will do in the temple.
John 2:13-22 “13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.” 18 The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.”
But we also see the other side of the word zeal in Jesus, even at a young age He was eager to be in His Father’s house and being about His business.
Luke 2:41-52 “41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. 46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Here we see Him not being impatient or annoyed when His mother and stepfather find Him in the Temple, but rather is friendly and honest with them. Yet, we learn more of Jesus’s zeal as He is humbly asking questions and listening to the teachers of the law. Jesus at a young age has a zeal that wants to learn more of God, His Father.
Oh how I wish you and I could always have this zeal! If only the Christians would have the zeal of Christ continuously in our walk and actions. While there are other scripture verses and passages discussing “zeal” in the Bible, I thought it was important to share something I learned recently regarding the contextual understanding of the word zeal. The more we know, the more we will understand and be able to apply what God is teaching us.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL
All The Messianic Prophecies of the Bible Pg. 92