FROM THE TOP
LELAND ACKER chreporter@mediactr.com
In Zechariah 3, Joshua, the high priest stood before God wearing filthy garments. Satan stood next to Joshua to accuse him before God.

The fact that Joshua stood before God wearing filthy clothes is significant. First of all, if one were to meet with God, or even just a public official, one would want to look his best. Secondly, the high priest was the representative of the people to God.

So there he is, the people's representative, the high priest, standing before God in filthy clothes. The filth represents the sins of the people.

God, sitting high upon his throne, could have expelled Joshua and the people from His presence because of the filth of their sins. Instead, he opted to fix the problem.

He changed Joshua's clothes from filthy clothes to clean clothes, saying "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee (Zechariah 3:4)." So, He did away with Joshua and the people's sins. Then, He restored them to their place in God's Kingdom by placing a "fair mitre" on Joshua's head (Zechariah 3:5). This "mitre" was the head piece worn by the high priest, much like the head gear the Pope wears. It symbolized his position as high priest.

Then, God said in Zechariah 3:8 "I will bring forth my servant, the BRANCH." Then in verse 9 "I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day."

In those verses, God said he would send His servant, the Messiah, the Christ, who would remove the sin of the land in one day. The events of Zechariah 3 were symbolic of what would come when Christ would come, be born in a stable, live, teach, then die on the cross for our sins. It was on that cross, in one day, that the sins for the world were paid for. God kept his promise.

In Matthew 1, Joseph had a problem. His soon to be wife, Mary, was with child, and Joseph knew it was biologically impossible that it was his. While he slept, the angel of the Lord came to him in a dream and told him not to worry, that the Child in Mary's womb was of the Holy Ghost. The angel then said she would have a Son, and "Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for he shall save His people from their sins."

Isn't it interesting that Jesus is the Greek form of the name Joshua? Isn't it also interesting that the Bible teaches that Jesus is our High Priest, sitting on the right hand of God to intercede for us?

Let's praise God for the promises He has kept during our month of worship.