Word of Salvation – Vol.50 No.2 – January 2005

 

Do You Have New Clothes?

 

Sermon by Rev J Zuidema on Zechariah 3:1-10

Scripture Reading:  1 John 1: 5 -- 2:2

Suggested Hymns:  BoW 337; 51:5-8; 119c; 91; 523

 

Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ...

One of the things that people often struggle with in their Christian lives is whether they are truly forgiven. And Christians tend to ask that, not only when they are close to death, but also when things are not going well for them. I have had people say that because they are sick or suffering, God must be punishing them for some unconfessed sin.

And sometimes I have heard ministers and preachers say to their people that because something has worked out wrong they must have some unconfessed sin, or because they haven't been healed they haven't got enough faith. And that is how the devil works, sowing his seeds of doubt.

And then before too long, we begin to ask, is God really on our side? Has He really forgiven us for past sins? Does He really love us? Does He really care for us? Are we really the apple of God's eye?

When we think like that, then we are probably thinking much of what the returning exiles were thinking. Things weren't going so well for them either. God had graciously returned some to the Promised Land, but the cities were still in ruins, the temple unfinished and raiding parties were making things awfully difficult. Is God really on our side? Does He really care? Is their some sin we haven't yet confessed?

And that is where the prophet Zechariah comes in. Zechariah is not only to rebuke but also to encourage these people to continue trusting in their God. The first visions and messages contained in Chapter 1-2 had proven that God was again with them. The cities would be rebuilt beyond their original walls and God Himself would protect them for they will always be the apple of His eye!

And chapter three of Zechariah continues with this same theme of assuring God's people of God's love, protection and especially their forgiveness.

Verse one paints the picture of a court scene. Zechariah was shown Joshua, the high priest, the representative of the people. He is standing before the angel of the Lord, who is none other than the pre-incarnate Christ. Zechariah also sees Satan at his right side accusing Joshua and he sees the angels doing the judges bidding.

Although it doesn't actually say it in the text, it is implied that the devil is the prosecutor and has been pointing the finger at God's covenant people and telling God everything they had done wrong. The conversation probably went something like this:

"God, let me remind you that Joshua representing the priesthood and God's people have been a dismal failure. In fact, despite the fact that you sent many prophets to them, they failed to repent and obey! In fact, they even killed some of the prophets. Even Hosea warned the priests that they were accountable for your people dying due to lack of knowledge. And your people followed idols and inter-married and disobeyed you time and time again. And God, let me remind you how you punished them by sending them into exile! And even now - look at your temple. Where is it? They live in panelled houses and your temple is still not complete. Surely God, doesn't that show you that they are failures and that they don't love you and that they deserve full punishment?"

Let's be honest congregation, the devil had a strong case! And using our human thinking and our own God given sense of justice, we would have to agree. They were hopeless.

But instead of the angel of the Lord agreeing with Satan's accusations, God's gracious love comes to the fore. "The Lord rebuke you, Satan." In other words, "Be quiet Satan... I have chosen them. They are my people, and I love them. I know they have sinned and done evil in my sight. I know that they have not done as I asked. And yes, I have punished them, but they are mine. I have saved them yet again. I have snatched them, as a branch is snatched from the fire. I have taken them back from exile and you just be quiet!"

What a rebuke for Satan! God was on the side of His people, even though they were still sinners. Nothing, not even Satan's just charges could change God's amazing love for His people. That's the first encouragement for these returning exiles. Even though Satan accuses, God is for them!

The returning exiles were not fighting flesh and blood, but Satan himself. It was Satan who was turning every stone against them. It was Satan who had tried to paint God in such a way that the people might lose faith in Him. And congregation, let us be aware that this is still what he does today! Sowing his seeds of doubt!

Does God really love you? Does He care for you? Are you really the apple of His eye? And the resounding answer is, YES, because of Christ - as our first reading reminded us. More on that later.

But this vision also shows that there was a remedy at hand. Even though we know that God loves His people, He cannot turn a blind eye to sin. He needs to deal with their sin. Sacrifices need to be made and so we see the reinstatement of Joshua the high priest. Joshua, the high priest, representative of the people, is pictured with dirty clothes, covered with the filth of sin, standing before the angel of the Lord.

And the angel of the Lord says to his helpers, "Take his old filthy clothes of sin off him, and put rich garments on him. Place a new turban on his head." This turban was worn by the Old Testament priest when he offered incense on the altar and made the annual sacrifice for sin. So the people could be assured, that not only was Satan's work being undone, their sin could again be atoned for on the altar by Joshua who is now reinstated to his priestly function.

Joshua's new clothes not only symbolised that he could fulfil his priestly role, but his new clothing set him apart to be holy. Exodus 28:36 tells us that on the front of the turban a gold plate was attached and engraved with the word, "holy to God", an indication of the high calling that the priest had.

Joshua was to be reinstated into his high priestly function, so that Israel again had a divine priestly representative in their midst. The people of God had to realise that the priesthood was again going to be credible. And all this happened while the angel of the Lord was watching, indicating that this was approved by God.

So here is a second encouragement for these returned exiles. These undeserving people could again know that their sins would be forgiven because Joshua would be reinstated to do his priestly function.

From now on Joshua is given this call to personal holiness and righteousness. Joshua had to walk in God's ways and do what was required. That was the condition to him governing God's house and to have charge over the courts and be given a place among those standing in front of the angel of the Lord.

But we know that Joshua and all the other Old Testament priests were only a symbol of what was to come. True and lasting cleansing was only possible by God doing the sacrificing. Look at the promise at the end of verse 8. The Lord promises to send his servant the Branch. Isaiah speaks about a branch - a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit (11:1).

Yet another clear reference to the coming Christ. All the other priests are just a shadow of what was to come. The ultimate Priest was coming as a servant, and He gave the ultimate sacrifice of His very life.

Verse nine tells us that God will set a stone before Joshua. What is the large stone? Some people take this to mean the precious stone with seven facets that was on the front of the turban placed on the priest's head. However, the Hebrew word used for stone here is a different word, used describe a large stone, and not the word to describe the stones on the plate on the priest's turban.

Others suggest that it is a reference to Christ. And it is no doubt that this is probably true to an extent, for Christ is referred to as a 'stone'. Isaiah 28 1 and Psalm 118:1 and several New Testament passages refer to Jesus as the 'stone'.

Yet, the context of this passage and the book dictate that the stone probably refers to the temple that is being built. After all, this vision is to be an encouragement to the exiles to get on with God's work and complete the temple, for that is the external symbol of God's presence. The stone would be engraved and appear wonderful before the whole world. It would represent the glory of God. It will be excellent.

Indeed, the visible temple could equally be applied to Christ. For one day the Christ would come and tabernacle with His people and the sin of the land would be removed in a single day as the priest did symbolically once a year in the holy of holies.

God would look favourable at His people again and nothing would prevent them from receiving His blessing. So what an encouragement to the people to persevere. God was on their side; loving, protecting, caring, and cleansing them from their sin.

The result of this action is peace, for they are going to be free from anxiety and fear. No longer will they run to cities or caves for protection, but they will sit under the vine and fig tree which are out in the open. They would even invite their neighbours. What a tremendous encouragement for these returnees. God was on their side.

But we need to ask the question, "Why does God do this?" Why should He bestow such favour on Joshua and on Israel? Because God wants to protect the honour of His own worship and the honour of His own name. He wants the Old Testament church to put Him as number one. This vision shows that they had every reason to do so. And that is why this temple needed to be completed. While it was in ruins, God's very honour was at stake, and He would not be given the glory that was due to Him.

Brothers and Sisters, more than anything, I want you to know that God is on our side. Don't doubt your forgiveness, even when things go against us. Don't look for some hidden or unconfessed sin. If you are a child of God, if you believe in the Lord Jesus, then you are forgiven. Our fight isn't against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12).

We know what God has already done for us in Christ! The Branch has come and laid down His life for us. By repenting and believing in Christ, we are forgiven, washed clean and dressed in new clothes. Even more than that! The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are God's children. Satan can accuse all he likes, but our Saviour is sitting with the Father in heaven, speaking on our behalf. 1 John 2:2 reminds us that we have an advocate with the Father. The devil may well accuse, even justly, but Jesus is there and he says, "These people who love me are mine, Father. I gave my life for them. They are precious to me."

How do we respond to such marvellous news? Surely this encourages us to live holy lives, to flee from sin and to work for the extension of God's kingdom. That is part of our calling, and indeed the calling and purpose of the New Testament church and every local congregation.

How will you respond?

And just as Joshua was pointed to God's word for guidance on how to be holy, so too for us. We don't find what God requires in ourselves. God's requirements are not to be measured by our own likes and dislikes. The call to personal holiness is found throughout Scripture. Hebrews 12:14 says, "...that without holiness you will not see the Lord."

And if the Old Testament church needed to be encouraged in their holiness, how much more so for us. What a glorious, fuller, richer future is still coming our way! Oh, I haven't had a vision, but God has revealed it to us through His Word. "No eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind conceived what God has in store for those who love Him!" No more death, mourning, sickness, pain or tears.

How blessed we are, how rich already! We echo the words of Paul, "If God is for us... who can be against us?"

So again I ask, how will you respond? Surely we cannot help but have a great desire to reach out to the lost. For the terrible truth is that those who do not know Jesus as Saviour, are lost. Those who are not wearing clean clothes provided by the King, will be thrown out into the fire.

Do you have Christ as your Saviour? If you haven't, I plead that you don't delay too long about asking the hard questions about life. Don't be caught out, for only those who trust in Jesus can truly have peace with God. So come to him in true repentance and believe, for then you, too, can have peace and life, not just any life, but life eternal.

Amen.