Zechariah 3:1-7 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.… The Jewish Church is represented by its head, the high priest Joshua; various objections are brought against it, but the Lord overrules them all, declaring His will, that it shall be restored to His favour, notwithstanding its past guilt or present degradation. This transaction represents to us the way in which every true child of God becomes a partaker of the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. I. THE CHRISTIAN'S WOEFUL CONDITION BY NATURE. 1. He is exposed to condemnation. It is the condition of us all. Conscience acknowledges this. The Christian, in himself, has no reply to the accusations of Satan. 2. He is an object of God's abhorrence. Indicated in Joshua's filthy garments, offensive in the Lord's sight. 3. He is on the very brink of destruction. A brand actually in the fire. II. HIS HAPPY ESTATE BY GRACE. In spite of every hindrance, Joshua is accepted — the Christian is saved. 1. His conviction is quashed. It is not urged that there are no grounds for condemning him. The charges are tacitly allowed to be true. But at the critical moment there is an arrest of judgment. The accuser is for bidden to proceed, — "the Lord rebuke thee." There is no ground for this exemption, save the Lord's free and unmerited choice. 2. He is clothed afresh, through the merits of the Saviour, and with the graces of the Spirit of God. The filthy raiment of guilt is what we cannot lay aside, but Christ took it away. And He brought in an everlasting righteousness. 3. He is effectually saved from ruin. Inquire whether this all-important change has taken place in you. (J. Jowett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. |
    |