Clothed in Righteousness

Introduction:

The theme of Scripture is the redemption of mankind from sin. It is not just a New Testament theme. God lives to forgive mankind from sin. One book where this principle is demonstrated – is an obscure and little known about book – Zechariah. Zechariah 3 contains a very practical and powerful lesson that demonstrates the grace of God.

I. Background on Zechariah 3.

A.     Zechariah prophesying during the construction of temple.

B.     3:1-7 – contains the 4th vision. In this vision we observe:

1.     Zechariah the prophet.

2.     The angel that accompanied Zechariah while he received these visions.

C.    They are observing a court scene. In this scene, we observe:

1.     Joshua, the High Priest.

2.     The angel of the LORD. Many believe this is Jesus.

3.     Satan – standing on the right side ready to accuse Joshua.

4.     God? See 3:2.

II. A powerful parallel between Zech. 3 and the NT teaching of God’s grace.

A.     Mankind approaches God in filthy garments.

1.     Zech 3:3 – Joshua stands in filthy garments.

a)     Heb. word means: “soiled…as if covered in excrement.”

2.     Garments were symbolic of the personal sin of Joshua as well as the entire nation. See Isa. 64:6.

a)     Joshua is powerless to do anything in changing his garments.

3.     Today, those who come to God approach Him with stained with sin.

a)     Isa. 1:16, 18; 1 Cor. 6:11; Heb. 10:22

b)    We come before God powerless to do anything in changing our spiritual garments.

B.     Only God can remove the stains of sin.

1.     Zech. 3:4 – Angel commanded by God to remove filthy garments.

2.     3:4b – only God can remove human sin & guilt.

a)     Joshua had done nothing to deserve the cleansing.

3.     Likewise…only God can remove our sins.  Rom. 6:23-24; Eph. 2:1-10

a)     Eph. 2:4-5 – we do nothing to deserve the cleansing.

b)    Eph. 2:8-10 – we are saved through the grace of God.

4.     Gal. 3:26-27 – when we respond to God’s call of salvation – we are clothed

a)     We respond through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism.

b)    1 Cor. 6:11 – this is the washing mentioned here.

C.    We enter into a covenant relationship with God.

1.     Zech 3:7 – because he had been cleansed, Joshua now had obligations.

a)     3:6-7a – he had a personal responsibility to walk in God’s ways.

b)    Doing this would allow him to have full access to God as High Priest.

2.     1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10 – Christians are part of a royal priesthood.

a)     John 14:15; Heb. 5:8-9

b)    We do not do this to be saved; we do it because we are saved.

3.     1 Pet. 1:13-16 – because we have been saved, we must be holy.

4.     Heb. 10:19-22 – as we remain faithful we have direct access to the Father.

Conclusion:

A.     Don’t remain in your soiled condition. Seek God! He will cleanse you.

B.     Do you need to be cleansed?

C.    Are your new robes stained with sin? Come back to God!