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Zechariah 3:3-4

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”

Zechariah paints the picture. Joshua, the high priest, stood before the angel of the Lord. At Joshua’s right side, Satan stood to accuse him. But God was having none of Satan’s allegations. “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you!” (Zech. 3:2). And Satan was sent on his way.

Joshua now stood only before the angel of the Lord. Standing next to the angel, Joshua’s clothes were dirty representing the sin in his life. The angel gave instructions to remove the soiled garments. Joshua’s sin was taken away and he was dressed in clean, expensive clothes. What a picture of salvation and restoration! Joshua’s image looks a lot like ours.

Scripture says that Satan stands before God, day and night accusing us (Rev. 12:10). We, like Joshua, are helpless, hopeless, and spiritually bankrupt dressed in the filthy tattered garments of a spiritual beggar. Then God transforms our lives! He takes away the soiled clothing and dresses us in the fine garments of his salvation. Because of Jesus we appear before God forgiven and restored. And Satan, the accuser, is sent on his way.

Talking Points

• Reflect on the day God gave you a change of clothes. Praise him for transforming your life, and for clothing you spiritually with “pure vestments.”
• Use this powerful picture to teach your children (and grandchildren) what trusting in Jesus looks like. Jesus takes away our dirty worn-out clothes and gives us clean, beautiful garments. What a picture of salvation.

Lord Jesus, thank you for removing our dirty garments of sin and clothing us with the rich robe of your righteousness! Thank you for transforming me, a sinful beggar, into a child with an eternal inheritance. In your name. Amen.

 

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Today on The Journey Broadcast:

 

Under Attack: The Sacrifice – Part 1