Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Zechariah was a prophet after the Babylonian Captivity of God’s people. His message was directed to those who were returning to the Promised Land and had the task of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.

The book is filled with prophesies about the coming Messiah, our Lord Jesus. Some are very specific, like Him entering Jerusalem on a donkey (9:9) and Jesus being betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (11:12-13).

The words above were spoken by the prophet to Zerubbabel, who was sent back by the king of Babylon to be the governor of Israel. He was also the grandson of Jeconiah, the last King of Judah, which meant He was a descendant of David. He is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in both Matthew and Luke. Although from the royal line of David, Zerubbabel did not have the power that King David had, yet he faced the daunting task of rebuilding the Temple. That is why the prophet tells him that this assignment does not have to be done by his human efforts and strength. The Spirit of the Lord would enable him to complete the task at hand.

When God gives someone an assignment, He never says, “You’re on your own.” If fact, just the opposite is true. After His resurrection, Jesus told His followers that they would take the message of who He was and what He had done into all the world to make more disciples.

Luke 24:48–49 You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Jesus was referring to the promise He made the night before He was crucified, the same promise made through the prophet Joel;

Joel 2:28–29 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

That promise was fulfilled on Pentecost (Acts 2), and continues to be fulfilled every day as the Spirit of God works through believers, works through the church, works through the Word and the Sacraments to point people to the cross and the empty tomb. That is how people come to faith and are saved. Not by our power, but by God’s.

Thank you, God, for Your Spirit at work among us and in us.