“We need to get busy building the Temple of God!” That was what God’s people needed to hear in the days of Haggai and Zechariah, and it’s still an important message for Christians today. Given that we are in fact the living stones that make up the Temple (see I Peter 2:5), it is important that we not only seek to purify ourselves of whatever sin remains in us, but also to encourage others to join us in the grand journey of discipleship. Through evangelism, missions, and spiritual growth we build up and adorn the Temple of God.

But in today’s passage, Zechariah reminds us that we are not solely, or even principally, responsible for building God’s Temple. No, He said that the man who would build it is called “the Branch,” using a name for the Messiah that earlier prophets had used (see Isaiah 4:2 and Jeremiah 23:5-6). But Zechariah added to the mystery surrounding the One Who would come to save His people: He would not only be a king, but also a priest. Yes, Zechariah said that “He will be a priest on His throne” (6:13).

Now, this was a radical notion for God’s Old Testament people. The Law of Moses made clear that the priests were only to come from the tribe of Levi, and in particular the descendants of Aaron, Moses’ brother. But God had also made it clear that the kings who would rule over His people would be the descendants of David, who came from the tribe of Judah.

Yes, so clear and absolute was the Old Testament division between kings and priests that when King Saul made priestly offerings to the Lord, the Lord removed his kingdom from him (I Samuel 13:14). And years later, when King Uzziah tried to enter the Temple to burn incense on the altar, the Lord instantly struck him with leprosy (II Chronicles 26:16-21).

But that’s why today’s passage is such good news. For the Branch, the Lord’s Messiah, has made peace between kings and priests by filling both offices at the same time (Zechariah 6:13). And this is how He is able to build and purify the Temple of the Lord. Yes, by His perfect sacrifice, He has cleansed all those who trust in Him of all our sins. And by His mighty power, He has overcome even the hardest of hearts, drawing us to Himself with cords of love, restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

So yes, we have a lot of work to do, putting the remnants of sin to death in our lives and in our congregations. But we can do this work with the greatest of confidence, knowing that our King and our Priest has already pardoned us and cleansed us and made us His own. Because He is the One Who has built the Temple of the Lord, He is worthy to receive all of the glory.

Zechariah 6:9-15 (NASB)

9 The word of the LORD also came to me saying,
10 “Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and you go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.
11 “And take silver and gold, make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
12 “Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD.
13 “Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”‘
14 “Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the LORD to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.
15 “And those who are far off will come and build the temple of the LORD.” Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And it will take place, if you completely obey the LORD your God.