The Courtroom Drama (Zechariah 3:1-10)

Context: Longing for God in an Age of Discouragement

The People of God needed to be encouraged, and reminded of God’s promises after this time of exile. So, when Zechariah went to sleep on February 15th of 519 B.C., God showed him several visions in the night. By the grace of God, Zechariah wrote down each of these visions to encourage God’s people in a time of transition. Last Sunday night, we talked about the night vision of a man with a measuring line, and we talked about our eternal home in heaven that we can look to. But this morning, we’ll be in chapter 3, which was the fourth night vision that Zechariah has. So, open your Bibles to Zechariah 3. When I first read it, I felt like I was watching a movie. And every movie has a scene, characters, and a script. So this morning, we’ll be looking at this story with that same outline. I’ve entitled this sermon, “The Courtroom Drama.”

The Scene: A Courtroom

Read verse 1 and pause

In this vision, Zechariah has a vision of a courtroom. Let’s meet the characters of this scene.

Upon opening his eyes, Zechariah sees a man named Joshua, the High Priest. Joshua is the grandson of the High Priest when the Temple was originally destroyed by Babylon. He’s been connected to this priesthood office for a long time. A High Priest is someone delegated to atone for the sins of people by offering sacrifices on the altar inside the temple. There was a place inside the temple called the Holy of Holies. It was there where the ark of the covenant was placed, and upon that altar there were sacrifices made. The blood of animals would be spilt on this altar, because the Bible tells us in Hebrews that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. As a quick note, that is the reason that Jesus died on a cross for us. Because without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22).

The High Priests’ role was to stand on behalf of the people. He was to represent the people of God to God. Now, because of the crucial importance of what they did, priests had to avoid anything unclean and unholy. For example, they were forbidden to marry a woman who had any form of sexual contact with another man, and they were also not allowed to touch a dead body. They had strict dietary laws. Their lives had to symbolize the utmost respect of cleanliness and holiness. When he entered the temple, they wore a gold place on their turban with an inscription that said, “Holy to the Lord.” So Joshua was expected to be a man who was clean, holy, and standing as a representative for the people of God.

The next character we meet is the Angel of the Lord. Now, we know what angels are. Angels are created beings by God who are sent to minister and serve. They can appear human in nature, and scripture gives us many examples of angels speaking with humans in the Bible. They are sent by God on a mission to God’s created people. US!

But notice here that there is a designation about this angel. The Bible says that this was the Angel of the Lord. And there are certain times when scripture talks about angels of the Lord, or an angel of the Lord. Such as in Matthew 1:20 we learn that an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream to confirm the coming birth of a savior. But there is a difference between AN angel of the Lord and THE angel of the Lord.

Throughout the Old Testament there are times when people come face to face with THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. For example, when Abraham was on Mount Moriah in Genesis 22, after being tested for his faith, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD reaffirms the covenant promise that God originally gave him in chapter 12. And he says, “in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed MY voice” (Genesis 22:18). The ANGEL of the LORD speaks about God in the first person.

Or another time when the Angel of the Lord is also referred to the commander of the army of the Lord. In Joshua 5:13-15 it says, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”

So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”

Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

This mysterious figure in the Old Testament claim to be divine, claims to command the armies of the Lord, and claims the promises of God as his own. What does that tell us?

I want to ask you a question this morning. When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, was that the first time that he came into existence? No, we know that Jesus has always eternally existed with God as the second person of the trinity. Colossians 1 even says that Jesus was present at creation. It says that all things were created by him, through him, and for him, and he is before all things, and in him all things hold together! So while God spoke the world into existence, we know that Jesus was that agent of creation. John 1:1,14 tells us, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God…and the word became flesh and dwelt among us.” So, let this boggle your mind for a minute: Jesus, who is the Living Word of God was the agent of creation when God spoke a word into existence and said, “Let there be LIGHT.”

My friends, this morning, I need to tell you that THE ANGEL OF THE LORD is an Old Testament image of Jesus Christ, our Savior, in all his glory. Peter, James, and John got a brief image of this on the mount of transfiguration when Jesus temporarily showed his glory with Moses and Elijah. In theology, this old testament is the Pre-Incarnate Christ. He is JESUS CHRIST, in his glory, such as an angel, that the Old Testament men and women could only describe him in an angelic sense.

So in this courtroom scene, we picture Joshua standing before the Angel of the Lord, who is the judge in this story.

But lastly, we see the adversary, Satan. The Bible says that he is a liar and the father of all lies. The Bible says that he’s like a prowling lion, seeking whom he may devour. The Bible says that he’s come to steal, kill, and destroy. He is the adversary of mankind. He is the enemy. His name is Satan. That fallen angel who tried to raise himself up above God. Satan, the serpent of the garden of Eden. Satan, that wicked being whose only purpose is to destroy our relationship with the One True God. And in this story, Satan stands at Joshua’s right hand.

In this courtroom scene, He’s the prosecutor, and Joshua the High Priest is standing on trial for sins that he’s committed.

With Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him, he’s fully prepared. His notes are extensive. If this courtroom also included a jury of Joshua peers, it would certainly be a long trial. Satan stands, ready to accuse.

Lastly, there are “those who stood before him.” It’s a group of beings. They could be people, but it’s more likely that this scene takes place in heaven, and these beings are angelic beings.

Now that we have the setting, we can read the script. The script is broken up into 4 Acts.

Act 1: The Arraignment

In a court of law, the arraignment is when an individual is brought into the court, read their charges, and then asked how they want to plead: guilty, or not guilty.

When we open to verse two we learn that Satan doesn’t even get the chance to make opening statements. Because the Lord (which is the angel of the Lord) speaks first. Verses two and three say, “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebukes you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.”

First, take a look at what Joshua is wearing. He’s wearing filthy garments. Wait, I thought you said that the High Priest was supposed to be clean and holy, and not let anything unclean touch him. You’re exactly right. But we know from last week that God looks at the heart. He examines what’s inside. And it’s clear that when we stand before God, we might think that we look holy and clean, but on the inside, the truth is that everyone of us are filthy with sin. Isaiah 64:6 says that even our righteousness is like filthy rags in the sight of God!

The High Priests in the Bible are called to be clean and holy, but the truth is that they are people just like us, and they, too sinned. They were imperfect, and that’s why the Bible says that we needed a Great High Priest to intercede for us. One without sin, so that we could be completely forgiven.

But Joshua represented the people. And they were stained with sin. So his clothes, both from his own wrongdoing and the people’s was filthy.

But in verse 2, we see that the Lord begins to rebuke the accuser. “The Lord rebukes you, Satan! The Lord who has hosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” It’s as if the Lord is saying to Satan, “How dare you bring someone to accuse who belongs to the people whom I have chosen! How dare you try to accuse one of my own!

Friends, this morning, I want you to place yourself in this scene. Imagine you are in that courtroom, and your clothes are filthy. You’ve done something wrong. Your past is filthy with sin. And the evidence has been laid out on the table, and you know that as soon as the prosecution opens his mouth, you’ll be declared guilty by the judge. But don’t forget my brothers and sisters that you have an advocate! You’ve stood before the God of the universe to stand trial for your sin and your failure to uphold the law, and as soon as the trial begins you have an advocate in your corner who says, “Not this one. You can’t accuse this one. Because this one belongs to me.”

Jesus Christ is our defense who stands up for his people when the accusations against us are many. Notice that it’s not based on anything we have done. Can you imagine if you had evidence against you in a court of law and you were standing trial for breaking the law and you stood up and said, “Don’t forget that I was a good driver. I never went over the speed limit. I have been a good citizen, I’ve only broken the law a few times!” The judge doesn’t judge based on the good you’ve done, the reason you’re standing trial is because you’ve been accused of breaking the law.

But friends, I just want to let you know this morning that you have a great attorney. You have an attorney who’s friends with the judge. And as long as he’s your lawyer, the prosecution doesn’t stand a chance.

Friends, the bible says in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

The Bible says in 1 John 2:1-2 says, “I am writing these things so you may not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father: Jesus Christ, the righteous one.”

You may be here this morning thinking of all the things you’ve done in your past. Your haunted by the life you once lived or the life you are currently living, but I want to tell you this morning that we have an advocate who defends us before the accuser. The question is: is he your advocate?

You know I’ve watched a lot of Law and Order in my life. Call me weird but I love that show. I love seeing how the police process a crime scene, I love watching a criminal be caught, and I love watching the courtroom scenes. There have been a few times in those shows where the accused try to represent themselves in a court of law. It’s called “pro se,” which is Latin for “on your own behalf.” Maybe they cant find attorney who has their best interest in mind, so the decided to try and refute evidence themselves. But I’ve learned in watching these shows that 9/10 times that happens, the defendant never wins.

But how many people are trying to go through this life trying their best to please God by their own works, how many people will stand before God one day and try to demonstrate how they are innocent, when the Bible says, “For all have sin and fallen short of the glory of God.” We are all guilty. But so many people think they will stand before God one day and say, “But God look at all the good things I did.” You will never be found innocent on your own doing. You need an advocate. You need a defense. You need Jesus Christ to stand in your place.

He says, “This is one that I’ve plucked from the fire.” Everyone of us have been plucked from the fire. We deserved eternal death, but we’ve been rescued by the grace of God.

Act 2: The Acquittal

In the next scene, “He” begins to speak again. And “He” is in reference to the Lord.

(read v.4-5)

Not only is the Joshua taken aside and defended. But now, he’s given fresh garments.

You know, when someone stands on trial, if they’ve been in a prison when taken to the court, they have to wear an orange jumpsuit. Even though our court system says you’re innocent until proven guilty, this jumpsuit makes it look like you’re already guilty to the jury.

But in this scene, Joshua is given fresh clothing, clothing he put on in replacement of the filthy garments he was wearing. In the NKJV, the Lord says, “I will clothe you with rich robes.”

Now remember Zechariah is having this vision. Imagine he is watching it from a distance, as if he’s behind the scenes, watching it unfold in real time, and all the sudden, he speaks out and says, “Put a clean turban on his head.” The cameras zoom in and they put a clean turban on his head.

Here’s what that represents. Not only is Joshua declared innocent, but now he’s been restored to his priestly role. Even though he was unfit to serve the King, now he’s been declared worthy to serve again in the office that has been placed before him.

Friend, this morning, I don’t know where you are. I don’t know if you feel guilty for your sin. I don’t know if you feel like you are unworthy to be used by God. But I want to remind you of something. Joshua did not clothe himself with fresh garments. The clothes were placed on him by the Lord.

In the Christian life, Jesus Christ has removed our filthiness and has replaced our sin with the garments of salvation. Galatians 3:27 says, “For all of you who have been baptized into Christ, have clothe yourself with Christ.”

What he’s talking about here is a change in your identity. You were once a person of filthiness and sin. You have been given a new identity, you have new clothes. You are now identified with Christ. Romans 6 says you’ve been buried with Christ into death, and now you’ve been raised to walk in newness of life.

Listen to the prophet, Isaiah. Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness...”

In the garden of Eden, when man and women committed the first sin, they began to hide. The bible says they were naked and ashamed and so they hid. They sewed some fig leaves together and tried to cover themselves. When they sinned, they were banished from the garden. But on their way out, God did something for them in his mercy and kindness. In Genesis 3:21 it says, “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” How did God get tunics of skin? He had to shed the blood of an animal. And there you have in the word of God the first example of a sacrifice. Blood had to be shed, for the man and woman to be clothed.

Listen to me. When you trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, the blood of Christ was attributed to your account. God shed the blood of a human, a sinless human, so that you and I could be COVERED in rightousness. That’s what this is all about.

Have you been clothed with these garments of salvation? Has your sin been atoned for? You cannot stand before God with filthy clothes and try to clean your clothes in front of a holy God, it doesn’t matter what you scrub, it doesn’t matter what spray or what powder you use, it doesn’t matter if you use bleach or detergent, you can wash all you want to, but your life will always be stained with sin. The only thing you can do to be accepted by God is to get rid of the old clothes, and ask Jesus to clothe you with his sacrifice, with his blood. And then you can sing with the saints,

“Dark is the stain that we cannot hide; what can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide; whiter than snow you may be today. Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that can pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace; grace that is greater than all our sin.” Hallelujah!

Act 3: The Counsel

What would our response be after given such an amazing gift? What could we say, what could we do? If Jesus is our defense, I’d want to listen to what he has to say. In a courtroom you know that there is a pendelum balancing between your guilt and your innocence and your attorney is the one that helps you move that pendelum in the right direction. So when he or she consults with you about what you need to say or do in the courtroom, you better listen to what they have to say. And if they’ve won your case, you’re indebted to them for doing their job and essentially being the gaurantee of your freedom.

Well in this text, Joshua the High Priest is defended, and then he’s clothed with fresh garments. Now, the angel of the Lord gives Joshua a solemn charge. In verse 7 it says, “Thus says the Lord of Hosts; ‘if you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my command, then you shall also judge my house, and likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk among these who stand here.’”

The Angel of the Lord is telling Joshua that now is the time to walk with God and obey him with your life.

When we get freed and forgiven from our sin, that does not give us the license to go out and live however we want to live. Out of gratitude of what Christ has done for us, we want to obey his commands and do what he says. We want to walk with him, to have fellowship with him, and to obey his word.

In this text, the angel promises Joshua that if he obeys and walks in his ways, he will give him the right of access. I believe what’s being talked about here is his closeness with the Lord, and his ability to serve the Lord.

You know, God has great things in store for his people. But we have to decide to walk with the Lord to see those things and take part of those things. God will bless and use a people who are committed to serve him. What if the thing holding this church back is our unwillingness to walk daily with the Lord and obey him with our lives? Let me get practical with you. I see a lot of faces here this morning. But when it comes to those who are actually serving this church and being involved, I see the same group of people. When I gather with the church on Sunday nights or Wednesday nights, it’s the same group, that core group. And the church needs people with different spiritual gifts and different insights and perspectives to be a part of its leadership. It’s time for the whole church to step up together and take ownership of what you want to do in the Mission of Christ. Don’t let anything hold you back. If you’re a member, you should be serving. If you’re not a member, why aren’t you?

Let’s say you went to the bank and you wore a mask and you stole $20,000 from the drawer. And you ran away and you escaped. One problem. You forgot to wear a glove, and your fingerprints are everywhere. Now, you stand, guilty, but you’ve been found innocent because of your attorney. After the trial is over, you are completely relieved, but the attorney leans over to you and says, “I hope you’ve learned your lesson. You should never steal anything, again.”

The counsel that the Lord gives to Joshua is this: look, you’ve been declared free. You’ve been washed and cleansed, and you’ve been given a new start. Now go out and live for the one who did this for you.

Closing act -- Act 4: The Contract

In a legal terms, the contract is often used in a court of law. A contract is an agreement between two or more persons that creates an obligation to do something. In this case, the Angel of the Lord actually gives the contract. In other words, he makes a promise to Joshua. And here’s the promise:

Read 8-10. The branch is in reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is known as the Branch of David. He came from the line of David, that royal family.

Then, he references a stone. He said, I have set my stone before you. The stone has seven eyes and it has an inscription on it. The stone is also in reference Jesus, who would be the foundation, the cornerstone of the church. He has seven eyes, a number of completion. Which means that Jesus sees all, knows all, and holds all things together. Eph. 2:20 says that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church!

Lastly, the Lord says that I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. This was prophesying the ONE DAY coming where Jesus Christ would REMOVE the sins of the world by dying on a cross and perfectly fulfilling the wrath of God. Are y’all with me? God is making a promise to Joshua here!

Here’s the promise: JESUS, the MESSIAH, IS COMING. And the people of this day knew that the Messiah was coming, but they needed to be encouraged and reminded of his coming. Jesus did come, and he did fulfill the promises made here. And yes Jesus did come. But guess what church,

HE’S COMING AGAIN. And when Jesus Christ returns, he is coming to make all things new.

When Christ returns, it will be too late to have made a decision for him...

INVITATION