Just You, Me and ____.

(12-5-04)

Zech.3:1-10

 

          When the Lord desires to accomplish something what do you think happens? It is accomplished! Does the Lord desire to accomplish something through His Church? Does that include us? Are we part of His plan and purposes? (if not who are we fooling and what are we doing here?)

          It is reasonable to accept that Jesus desires to accomplish something through His Church. We are Part of that Church and as part of that Church. He has something He desires for us to do. What is better, to do as the Lord wants or do what you want? I should hope that you would say, “what our Lord wants, we desire to do!” It would be a foolish thing to stand in the way of the Lord and His desires. Foolish!

          Zechariah chapter 2 ends with these words – “¹³ Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." When Jesus, who is Lord, rouses from His throne it will be too late to decide to do what He wants. What does Jesus Want? What is it the Church, of which we are a part and parcel, should be doing? Seeking and Saving! Making disciple makers!

          In today’s reading Joshua the high Priest is standing before the Angel of Lord and Satan is standing at His right side to accuse him. (Joshua or Jeshua is equal to N.T. name Jesus in English which means “the Lord Saves”) Joshua was a High Priest and as a leader, stands to represent the whole nation for which he serves. He is portrayed as being in filthy close as he stands before the Angel which indicates his and the nations sin.

          It can be seen in the text that it is the rebuking of the Lord that removes the poison of the Accusers accusations. (It should be noted that resist instead of accuse is the word found in many versions which would lend to this picture as well)  It is the Lord who makes clean as seen in Verses 2, 4. It is the Lord who snatches from the fire. It is the Lord who refuses to accept the accusation, It is the Lord who takes away sin and clothes in  new garments. (clean and rich)

          So what does this mean for us? It is the Lord who has called each of us into His Kingdom and His service. Like Joshua, we stand before the presence of the Lord being accused and our cloths soiled. Like the truth of this portrayal in Zechariah, it is the Lord who rebukes the accuser who hinders faithfulness and it is the Lord who removes sin and gives righteousness from Himself.

          It is true, we have not been faithful in doing what the Lord has purposed for His Church. It is also true that Jesus forgives, and He has. It is likewise true that with forgiveness comes a reinstatement of the calling. Verses 6 and 7 shows the charge given Joshua and all of Israel – be faithful and obedient and I will bless.

          I am your servant for the purpose of bringing you to fruitfulness. The Lord has forgiven! The Lord does dress you in righteousness! The Lord does call you to walk according to the purpose to which you have been called – to bear fruit to His glory. Your part is to work in league and in cooperation with His plan and purpose for you. This is your part – to seek and save, to make disciplers.

          You must choose this day whom you will serve.

The Joshua of old who followed in the leadership shoes of Moses made this statement: “as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Josh.24:14) Is it your desire to serve the Lord?  And the Church said? _________?