Main Idea: True righteousness is not earned but is received as a gift.
A Look at the Text:
Zechariah’s night visions continue with a vision of the high priest, Joshua, the one serving the community of returned exiles. But the vision was not of Joshua only, but of the angel of the Lord and of Satan standing next to Joshua to accuse him (Zech. 3:1).
But before the accusations were even levied, the Lord rebuked Satan, noting that Jerusalem was chosen and Joshua was as a stick rescued from the midst of fire (Zech. 3:2).
The issue at hand was then revealed: the high priest, representing the people, was clothed with filthy garments (Zech. 3:2). The vestments of the high priest were very specific under the Mosaic Law (Ex. 28). He was to be “holy to the Lord” and the people of Israel were to be a holy nation (Ex. 19:6), and yet they were presently defiled.
It’s at this point that the angel of the Lord commanded those standing by to clothe Joshua the high priest anew. He would be given pure clothes and a clean turban (Zech. 3:4-5).
Joshua was then assured that if he would walk in the Lord’s ways, he would be given charge over the Lord’s courts and be given access to the Lord’s presence (Zech. 3:6).
This cleansing at the Lord’s hand was then shown to be a sign of future things still to come that would be accomplished through the Lord’s servant—the Branch (Zech. 3:8).
Bringing it Home:
There is probably no better picture of the gravity of sin than a vision of a dirty high priest.
The high priest was the only one in Israel who was permitted to go into the holy of holies, into the very presence of God Himself, and yet, truth be told, he was dirty. While called to be holy, he was filthy.
What a sobering reminder of the inability of human beings to come into God’s presence on their own merit! Truly, even our best deeds are probably marred by impure motives. The stain of sin affects everything we do. Naturally speaking, we are dirty and can be rightfully accused.
It is for this reason that we need the Lord’s cleansing work.
When we could not cleanse ourselves, He made a way for us through the coming Branch. The One who would, in the greatest exchange, give us true righteousness for our filthy rags (see 2 Cor. 5:21). It is a righteousness that cannot be earned, but is yet freely given and received through faith (Phil. 3:9). It is new, pure vestments when our garments were once filthy.
It’s a righteousness that allows us to stand in His presence with confidence. For our status before God doesn’t depend upon our personal righteousness or good works but upon the perfect righteousness of Christ and His finished work.
Though we were dirty, we are now made clean. Though our sins were as red as scarlet, they are washed whiter than snow (Isa. 1:18). While Satan might have a list of seemingly legitimate accusations against us, our record of debts was nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14).
There is therefore now no condemnation for the one who is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).
Challenge:
Do I ever discount God’s work by accusing myself when my condemnation is gone?