Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem… “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” The prophet Zechariah was writing when the exiles were returning from the captivity. Instead of slinking back to Jerusalem with their tail between their legs like a whipped dog, the Jewish people showed great confidence in God’s presence in their midst. They did not think God had abandoned them even with the loss of nation, king and temple. Instead, they found God to be with them even in the midst of adversity. That is the lesson “strong nations” need to heed as well. In the gospel Jesus “resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.”Jerusalem was the place of God’s presence but it was also the place where Jesus would face judgment and execution. God was with him both in the triumph of Palm Sunday and the tragedy of Good Friday. We face the same challenge in our lives. We easily praise the Lord when all is well but the true test of faith comes when find the presence of God when dealing with loss, grief, suffering.
