Today let’s begin the year 2018 by remembering the perfect sacrifice that Jesus Christ paid for the forgiveness of our sin and the salvation of our souls. In today’s text from Zechariah 3:1-5, in a typical courtroom setting, Satan, identified as the accuser of the brethren in Revelation 12:10, is seen accusing Joshua the high priest before God, only to be rebuked by The Lord Himself.

This is a beautiful picture of the present ministry of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ stands in the presence of God for us as our Advocate (1 John 2:1b) and High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). He ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). When a sinner turns to Christ for the forgiveness of their sin, The Father removes their filthy rags of sin and guilt and replaces them with His robe of righteousness. Upon the merits of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, filthy, guilty sinners like myself are declared not guilty before God.

The declaration of not guilty is not because of anything that we have done or refrain from doing. It is because of these six English words that have rocked the universe for 2,000 years: “It is finished” (John 19:30) and “He is risen!” (Mark 16:6)

Glory to God for His garments of righteousness given to clothe all who call upon His Name!