Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. (Zechariah 1:14 ESV)
Jealous
When I worked for a janitorial supply company, I had one particular customer that I was impressed with. They had a clearly Biblical business model. They were careful of their reputation, and the reputation of all the local industries they served. They took care of their suppliers, their employees, and their customers.
At one point, they switched to another janitorial supply company. Almost without thinking, I called their new supplier and directed them to treat those folk as absolutely well as they could.
Later, I realized that in a good way, I was jealous for them.
Jealousy is not usually an attractive trait. But in certain contexts, it is great. In my janitorial world, I respected that company enough to go out of my way to make sure they were well-treated.
And in Zechariah, we read that the Lord is jealous for us! Not jealous of us, or jealous because of us. But somehow, we, the new Jerusalem and Zion, are jealously looked after by the Lord.
And it is because of Jesus. Jesus makes Christians His people… and He is exceedingly jealous for us.
He therefore protects us, guides us, sacrifices for us, never leaves us, and loves us.
We can not look after ourselves. But Jesus can.