You will probably agree that the church is not exactly highly respected and sought after by our world. The very fact that worship service attendance has plummeted in many churches, and that the Sunday has become a day of business as usual, suggests that the church is not attractive to many people in our society. And yet, the church is the most beautiful thing in the world. It is something which is much sought after by those whose minds are awakened by the emptiness of an existence without God, and the blood of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture foretold this wonderful truth. To Abraham it had already been promised that he would be a source of blessings to the peoples of the earth. There is also another striking Old Testament passage which proclaims how beautiful and attractive the church is to the world. We read in Zechariah 8:23:

This is what the LORD Almighty says: In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’

A People Magnet⤒🔗

Zechariah prophesied these words shortly after the time of the Babylonian exile as the Jews struggled to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem. Quite frankly, this was not a time when Jews were held in high esteem by the surrounding nations. Jerusalem had no drawing power for the world – not to look at in any event! And yet, the LORD proclaimed that it would be like a magnet drawing people in. Literally the LORD says: “ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you.’” How would this be possible? How could some of the most despised people on the face of the earth become some of the most sought after?

The Attraction←⤒🔗

The image used by God, of taking hold of a Jew by the hem of his robe, is one that is familiar to us. We have seen pictures of remote countries where little children are peering at the cameraman from behind their mother, clinging to her robe. Clinging to the robe is a sign of refuge, protection and security. Thus the ten men who take hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe are clearly men who are seeking refuge. The ten men who are described as being “from all languages and nations” represent people of different nations round about the Jews. We have here people who have lost direction and control in their own lives. They are lost souls. They have no hope, no purpose, no future. They feel like ghosts floating in the miasmal mist of despair. They are sinners whose lives are dead in their trespasses and misery. They need the Jew. They beg to hold on to the Jew, to go with the Jew to the temple. They hunger to hear the gospel of salvation which has been given to the Jews so that their sins may be forgiven, their lives liberated from slavery and despair, and they may live as a people with hope.

The Great Jew←⤒🔗

What the lost world ultimately needs is to know the great Jew, the Son of David, Jesus Christ. This Jew was born in Bethlehem, fulfilled all the demands of God’s law, died for our sins on the cross of Golgotha, was raised from the dead in glory, ascended to the right hand of God, poured out his Spirit on Pentecost, and now rules this world for the gathering, defending and preserving of his church. This Jew, and he alone, is the only hope and refuge for the world. During the past two millennia, people from every tribe, tongue and nation have been taking hold of him in true faith. They have been drawn to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and have been liberated from sin and death through his blood. They will stand with that great multitude of people from every nation on Zion as it is promised in the Book of Revelation.

Still Taking Hold←⤒🔗

What was said about the Jews in the Old Testament still applies to every Christian today. This is something to think about as we find ourselves in the midst of the Christmas season where the person of Jesus is given a fair bit of attention in our society. Unfortunately, the message that many deliver in this Christmas season, while mentioning the story of Jesus’ birth, will be seriously demolished as to its true contents. Lost and restless souls will not be rescued and given safe haven by some idyllic story about the baby born in Bethlehem’s stall.

How important it is that the lost and restless can still identify the one person who can lead them to safety. The world needs to know where to find refuge. We acknowledged earlier that the church is by and large not highly respected and sought after by the world. But that is not a reason for us to withdraw and to be ashamed. This is not a time to keep a low profile. Being the church of Jesus Christ is not about quietistic compliance with a world that often despises us. The people among whom we live – our neighbours, co-workers, fellow students, and everyone else we meet – need to know that we are Christians who have a hope within us, and answers to the most vexing problems of life. They need to know that they can take hold of us and say: I know that you have God in your life; take me along so that I may know him too!

The Only Refuge←⤒🔗

In a world which has come under the power of sin and death, where Satan is the prince that dominates in people’s lives, there is only one bright spot, only one thing of beauty. It is God’s gift of Jesus Christ who shed his blood for sinners. Jesus Christ is now given through the proclamation of his Word by his church. Jesus Christ is given to us so that we might share Him with others. Can there be anything more beautiful than to experience the privilege of Jesus Christ opening a door for you where someone will take hold of the “hem of your robe” and be led to the knowledge and conviction of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?