Justification

Zechariah 3:1–5 NKJV

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.

I. Joshua as High Priest Represents the People Before God

As High Priest, Joshua stands as the representative of Israel before God. The High Priest was the one who would offer sacrifices to atone for the sins of Israel to appease God’s wrath. However, Joshua’s filthy garments show how hopeless and destitute the people are. As you look at this text, there is clearly nothing inherently good in Joshua to free him from this trial. The fact that the highest spiritual authority before God in the whole world is condemned here is a way of depicting the hopelessness of all humanity. This is clearly communicated by Paul in Romans 3:23

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

II. Satan’s Role as the Accuser

Since Joshua’s guilty is evident, Satan appears as the prosecuting party to expose the heinousness of Joshua’s sin. His goal is to provoke the judgment of God upon the represented of His beloved people. This scene is supposed to be dramatic—the stage is set, the evidence clear, and the accuser is skillful in his craft. Notice, there is nothing said from Joshua in the situation.

III. The Divine Verdict: Mercy Over Judgment

While the verdict is clearly expected to be guilty, God surprisingly rebukes the accuser and declares, “This is a brand plucked from the fire.” So, although the expectation is judgment, grace and mercy turns the tide.

What we are seeing here is that the people are estranged by sin, and should totally expect God’s wrath, but their only hope is God's mercy.

Even though these sins deserve wrath, God clothes Joshua in a robe of righteousness. Which gives us two questions:

IV. Where Does This Robe Come From And What Happened to the Old One?

Answer: Two theological truths:

Sin Must Be Dealt With Justly

God is righteous, and sin must be punished.

Jesus takes our sin upon Himself and deals with it forever.

Scripture: Hebrews 9:26, Colossians 2:13–14

Colossians 2:13–14 NKJV

13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Hebrews 9:26 NKJV

26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

We Are Clothed in Christ’s Righteousness

Jesus not only wipes out our sin but gives us His own righteousness.

Scripture: Revelation 7:13–14, Isaiah 61:10

Revelation 7:13–14 NKJV

13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Isaiah 61:10 NKJV

10 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, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

V. The Turban and Consecration

Zechariah emphasizes the turban being placed on Joshua’s head.

The High Priest’s turban bore the words “Holy to the Lord.”

Those who are justified are also consecrated—set apart for God’s service.