“This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.” Zechariah 8:4-5 (NIV).

We often joke that Scotland is the Holy Land of Golf. And if that is correct, then St. Andrews is Jerusalem, or as some say, Mt. Zion.

Zechariah’s prophecy for Jerusalem seems to fit St. Andrews. Old men walking around the city using five-irons for walking sticks, and kids playing golf on the multiple golf courses- not just the famous Old Course, but also the New Course, the Eden Course, the Jubilee Course, and more. All with Biblical names! And don’t forget that Andrew was the first disciple called by Jesus. Wow!

Sue and I spend half the summer in the far north of Scotland, so I have started saying that we stay in “Galilee”. That usually gets a smile among those who know their Bible stories. It is four hours from the Holy City of St. Andrews, which is indeed a mountain top experience for golfers, a Mt. Zion spot on the earth.

We now have friends who have established a place in St. Andrews (The Saltire House) to train golfers from around the globe. It is an international headquarters to connect Jesus to the world of golf. www.thesaltirehouse.org. One of those friends is Jim Hiskey—- who is 90 years old today!!!

Discipleship Training Week at St. Andrews

Sue and I went last week to St. Andrews for one morning, joining Jim and his wife Lorraine (who also turns 90 this week!), plus Pete and Carolyn Hiskey, and Kelly and Victoria Hoodikoff, for a time of discipleship training. The small meeting room was standing room only for over twenty-five pilgrims from around the world. Introductions came from Taiwan, Argentina, Ukraine, Northern Ireland, Texas, Maryland, Alabama, and of course, locals from Scotland. The students heard from experienced “golf missionaries”, learning how to bring Jesus into the clubhouses and onto the golf courses of the world.

Driving back to “Galilee” in the north of Scotland, I thought about Zechariah 8, which may be my favorite chapter in the Old Testament.

This chapter repeats a phrase (ten times) worth remembering. “THIS IS WHAT THE LORD ALMIGHTY SAYS…”

Says what? Listen carefully if you have ears to hear. And instead of Jerusalem or Mt. Zion, think St. Andrews with eyes and ears of faith.

1- “I am very jealous for Zion.” (Zech. 8’1). God loves St. Andrews. Walking around the city and seeing the ruins of Cathedrals past will make you weep, imagining that God Himself was a huge presence in the city once upon a time. Not many know that Ol’ Tom Morris was an elder in the Church of Scotland and a man of God.

2- “I will return to Zion- the City of Truth.” (Zech 8’3). What a wonderful promise that He will return to St. Andrews! Many people are unaware that St. Andrews is basically a college town. The City of Truth is a worthy title. Some of the great theologians have studied there.

3- “Once again Men of ripe old age will sit in the streets. … while the streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.” (Zech 8’4). WOW…….. ‘city streets busy’- this is St Andrews. Busy with what? Playing a game called golf! The city is full of old guys like me walking around, carrying small bags to the golf course. And full of young people playing games- not just golf but football and more. Amazing prophecy for St. Andrews.

4- “It may seem marvelous to the remnant…” (Zech 8’6). Jesus followers in golf are just a remnant. We will never be a majority. We are meant to be salt and light in the golf clubs of the world.

5- “I will bring back and save from the east and the west.” (Zech 8’7). Asians from the east and the entire western world show up in St. Andrews. Indeed, local Scots seem in the minority as you walk around the city.

6- “The seed will grow well … and you will be a blessing.” (Zech 8’12). The tiny seed of the Saltire House will bless the world.

7- “I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah”. (Zech 8’15). Amen to this good word for Scotland. Surely the Lord has not forgotten this land which produced so many saints of old.

8- “Therefore, love truth and peace.” (Zech 8’18). Blessed are the peacemakers in the Holy City. Golf courses seem like a perfect place to bring peace. Political differences disappear when you ask your playing companion, “What club did you hit?” Or “How’s this putt gonna break?”

9- “Many people will come to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty.” (Zech 8’20). Entreat means a serious, earnest, and often emotional request. These are serious pilgrims who come to the Saltire House and St. Andrews!

10- And then the exclamation point to the entire chapter and arguably the greatest prophecy from the Old Testament… “In those days ten people 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.’” (Zech 8:23). Wow……… stop and think about this. One Jew- Jesus Himself- the Lord God Almighty! All languages and nations should know that Jesus Christ is that “one Jew” who lived, died, and rose for us all.

Fast forward from Zechariah to John 1:37-39 in Galilee, the time when this “one Jew” was fulfilling the promise of the Lord God Almighty. You hear Andrew asking Jesus where he was staying. Jesus’ response is still the invitation today. “Come and See”.

So, here’s an invitation. Jesus has a new home in the Holy City of Golf. Come and See.