Text: Zechariah 3:1-10.
Zechariah’s next vision is of the high priest Joshua being accused by Satan,
accused of being filthy with sin, of unrighteousness. That is true, he was. But God has chosen Joshua, has cleansed him (symbolized by beautiful clean clothes), and has commanded him to walk in obedience, in order to make him useful for ministry, for serving God’s people. (v.7).
Joshua is a symbol of the Messiah Jesus (v.8), though Jesus never sinned. The
stone of verse 9 has a writing on it, which most likely symbolizes the sin of
God’s people being placed on Jesus at His death on the cross, the propitiation.
Propitiation means our sin was transferred to Jesus, He paid our punishment and satisfied God’s justice for the laws we broke, our iniquity (v.9). In the context of re-building the Temple (the symbolic temple in Jerusalem and the eternal spiritual temple of God’s people) this is how it will be done. It cannot be done any other way. Do you trust that Jesus paid your sin penalty and cleansed you from your spiritual filth, or are you trusting in your own goodness (which no one has)?
Meditate on verse 2. How are you going to respond to it?
My heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, forgive me where I have
despised what seems to be small things, yet they are the very things You are
pleased with me. Amen.