goodness and beauty

On that day the LORD their God will save them,

as the flock of his people;

for like the jewels of a crown

they shall shine on his land.

For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!

Zechariah 6:16-17a

Here is a beautiful picture of God’s salvation! Zechariah describes the Lord rescuing His people as a shepherd saves his flock, then honoring them as precious jewels in a crown. These aren’t two different groups of people, but the same people viewed through the eyes of their Redeemer.

We are helpless sheep who need rescuing, yet God regards those He saves as precious treasures. This is the wonder of the gospel. It is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). We were not rescued because were were valuable. We are instead made valuable because we have been rescued! His gracious love and power gives us a worth and dignity we could never earn. We are now radiant trophies of His grace… made beautiful by the blood of the Lamb.

The prophet exclaimed: “How great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty”! We too see that goodness and beauty in the splendor of our Redeemer. The cross reveals both to us: God’s goodness is saving undeserving sinners and His beauty in the selfless sacrifice of our King. On day the Shepherd Who laid down His life will display us, His redeemed people, like jewels reflecting the glory of His grace. Even now there are glimpses of such glory in the church, the Bride of Christ. We are jewels transformed by grace. We are treasured people reflecting Christ’s glory.