Links for today’s readings:
May 21 Read: Zechariah 3 Listen: (1:48) Read: Luke 12 Listen: (7:42)
Scripture Focus: Zechariah 3.1-8
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.
Reflection: Fitting Garments of Grace
By John Tillman
Clothing is one of God’s first gifts to sinful humans. On shows like Naked and Afraid, survivalists endure harsh conditions without clothing, but even they aren’t completely naked. They wear a bag that doesn’t cover body parts but holds tools, food, and other items. Even without clothes, we need pockets.
Clothes give us more than pockets. They give us privacy, protection, comfort, and utility. Clothes express things about us, both intentional and unintentional. We want clothes to fit us and fit the situation.
Have you ever arrived with clothes that didn’t fit the setting or were improper for the activity? Swimsuits and business suits are not appropriate for the same events. Worn and dirt-stained gardening clothes work for tending a garden, but not attending a garden party. Even perfect outfits can be ruined by a catastrophe with your coffee or a slip in the mud.
It is awkward to be improperly clothed. It is distressing to wear filthy or damaged clothing in an important situation or in front of an important person. In Zechariah’s vision, the new high priest, Joshua, needed a change of clothes.
Joshua was not dressed properly to stand before God. Satan, the accuser, stood there, condemning Joshua for his sins, visualized as filthy clothing. Yet, in this court, Joshua found mercy.
The Lord described Joshua as a burning stick, snatched from the fire. He ordered the filthy garments removed and new, clean garments put on him. These garments were not his by right and he didn’t earn them—they were a gift. These garments of grace were not only clean but appropriate to the ministry and work Joshua was called before God to be commissioned in.
Zechariah’s visions (like most prophetic writings) blend our reality with heavenly reality. The vision of Joshua is a sign of things to come, including for us.
How are you clothed before God? Are you trying to clean or dress up your filthy clothes? Are you ashamed of nakedness and need? Do you hear the accuser’s voice and the scorn of those who see you as improper, damaged, burned, and broken? There is more than just grace for you in Jesus. There are garments fitted for you, fitted for your calling, to bring you honor and gift you for service.
Put on fitting garments of grace from Jesus. Raise your head. Raise your arms. And raise your voice. Get to work.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to his holy Name. — Psalm 97.12
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle
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