A Picture of Redemption

SCRIPTURE: Zech. 3:1-3
¹ Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. ² The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

³ Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. ⁴ The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What a beautiful picture of what our Redeemer does for us. Here is the high priest, Joshua, before God, with Satan standing next to him and accusing him. Joshua is in the throne room of heaven in dirty priestly garments! That is shocking! Would anyone even think of showing up to see the President of the U.S. in dirty clothes, let alone the King of all creation? Not only was he a sinner, but his priestly garments (the best he had or could give) were a mess. He deserved to be accused. But Satan is rebuked by God and Joshua's dirty vestments are exchanged for rich garments. And like Joshua, my best is but filthy rags to God. I cannot do anything to impress him. Yet, Jesus, my Redeemer, steps in to give me robes of righteousness that Satan cannot take away, and he stops the mouth of my accuser.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord, for saving me, cleansing me, and then giving me rich garments to wear. You treat me like royalty when I have earned none of it. In fact, all I have earned is shame and judgement. But you took all my punishment and shame and made me an heir with you! How indescribably marvelous! When I am feeling like a failure, help me to remember the identity you have given me and help me to live up to it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.