Corporate sin cleansed
Opening Prayer
Lord, I stand because of what You have done on my behalf and for that I am forever grateful.
Read ZECHARIAH 3:1–10
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. [2] The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” [3] Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. [4] The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” [5] Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by. [6] The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: [7] “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. [8] “‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. [9] See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. [10] “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who rebukes Satan?In this fourth vision, Joshua, the high priest (Hag.1:1,12; 2:2), is central to the action. Representing the Jews, he stands, faced by his accuser (translated “Satan”; 1). His filthy clothes (3) suggest that he is in mourning for the sin of the nation, as he stands in intercession. His fine new clothes (4) make him acceptable in the heavenly court. If he fulfills two conditions (6,7), he will be privileged to hold authority of the Temple and its courts and have direct access into God’s presence. Jesus was a far greater high priest than Joshua. He not only served as a representative for the people but also was the sacrifice itself and therefore the means by which their corporate sin could be permanently dealt with (Heb. 7:27). Never underestimate the magnitude of what Christ has done.The core problem for those returning from exile was the people’s corporate sin. God is a holy God. Human sin, whether individual or corporate, separates us all from him. The sin must be addressed, and thank God, it has been addressed in Jesus. In this fourth vision, Joshua, the high priest (Hag.1:1,12; 2:2), is central to the action. Representing the Jews, he stands, faced by his accuser (translated “Satan”; 1). His filthy clothes (3) suggest that he is in mourning for the sin of the nation, as he stands in intercession. His fine new clothes (4) make him acceptable in the heavenly court. If he fulfills two conditions (6,7), he will be privileged to hold authority of the Temple and its courts and have direct access into God’s presence. Jesus was a far greater high priest than Joshua. He not only served as a representative for the people but also was the sacrifice itself and therefore the means by which their corporate sin could be permanently dealt with (Heb. 7:27). Never underestimate the magnitude of what Christ has done.The core problem for those returning from exile was the people’s corporate sin. God is a holy God. Human sin, whether individual or corporate, separates us all from him. The sin must be addressed, and thank God, it has been addressed in Jesus.
Apply
Confess your sins and the sins of God’s people. Then thank God for the forgiveness found in Christ.
Closing prayer
Jesus, thank You that You have clothed me in Your own righteousness so that I can stand in heaven’s courts.
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