December 24 | Zechariah 8:20-23

bevoltmann
Dec 24, 2025
3 min read

DAILY READING

Zechariah 8:20-23

REFLECTION

Many Peoples

By Beth Voltmann

It is coming full circle, this promise from the Lord!

In sinful foolishness, mankind tried to reach God by building a tower to Heaven. God, in his perfect wisdom, halted their attempt by confusing their languages at the tower of Babel. The nations were formed and began to spread over all the earth. Then, in his mercy, God created a people for himself by choosing Abraham from whose lineage would come a Messiah – a son that would be sent down from heaven to those on earth - good news not just for Israel, but for all nations – “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

This Jesus, born in Israel to a Jewish mother and father, was born to “bring justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1) and “in his name the nations will put their hope,” (Matthew 12:21)

In Scripture, Luke explained that “from one man [God] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands...so that they would seek him...”. (Acts 17:26-27). He also wrote...“and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

A Jewish Messiah would be born to die in our place, for our sins. Where? Jerusalem.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, Zechariah foretold that this holy city, established by God, would draw hearts...

And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem

To seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.

(Zechariah 8:22)

After Jesus rose from the grave and ascended again to the Father, the 12 tribes of Israel were scattered among the nations (James 1:1). This was God’s plan - to scatter the Jewish believers throughout the earth to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ!

The light of Christ, the promise of forgiveness and eternal life, and the good news of the mercy of our Lord and Savior has indeed spread to the nations. Have you heard of the many peoples who have come to faith in Jesus in Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, India, North Korea, Cuba, China, Russia and around the world? God intends to draw all people to himself, and we are witnesses to the gospel coming full circle...back to Jerusalem.

“Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come.”

(Zechariah 8:20)

Let us pray for all the nations to seek the Lord. May we help them to “take firm hold” of the hem of Jesus. He will lead the way!

PRAYER

Father, we thank you on this Christmas Eve for the everlasting gift of Immanuel – God with us. Draw us ever closer to your heart for this world and teach us to share the good news of Jesus Christ with every nation, tribe, people and language.

Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.