Zechariah

Zechariah 3: The LORD takes sin away

Begin in prayer

Before we read how the LORD took away Joshua’s filthy clothes, please pray together. Ask Him to show us our sin, and to show us how He takes it away.

What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Romans 7:24-25

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You take sin away, and help us to see Jesus, the high priest who saves His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan at his right hand to be his adversary. Joshua wears filthy clothes. The LORD rebukes Satan and calls Joshua a burning stick plucked out of the fire. The order is given to take off the filthy clothes, and Joshua hears, “I have caused your iniquity to pass from you.” He is clothed with rich clothing and a clean turban, and then he is told to walk in the LORD’s ways. The LORD promises to bring out His servant, the Branch, and to remove the iniquity of the land in one day.

As you read Zechariah 3, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD took Joshua’s sin away, and He promises to take away His people’s sin in one day.

Joshua was the high priest, who served the LORD on behalf of the people (verse 1, Hebrews 5 verse 1). In the vision he stands in filthy clothes, with Satan beside him as his adversary (verses 1 and 3). The LORD does not let the accuser speak last. He rebukes Satan, because He has chosen Jerusalem (verse 2). Joshua cannot clean himself. The order comes to take off the filthy garments, and he is told, “I have caused your iniquity to pass from you” (verse 4). Rich clothing and a clean turban are put on him, and the angel of the LORD stands by (verse 5). Joshua and his fellows are a sign that the LORD will bring out His servant, the Branch (verse 8). The LORD also says He will remove the iniquity of that land in one day (verse 9).

How does Zechariah 3 show us that the LORD takes sin away, and that He promises to remove His people’s sin in one day?

Joshua stands in filthy clothes, and the LORD rebukes his accuser.

Joshua is the high priest, yet he stands in filthy clothes before the angel of the LORD (verses 1 and 3). Satan stands at his right hand to be his adversary (verse 1). The LORD answers Satan, and calls Joshua a burning stick plucked out of the fire (verse 2). He defends Joshua because He has chosen Jerusalem.

The LORD takes Joshua’s sin away and clothes him with rich clothing.

The order comes, “Take the filthy garments off of him” (verse 4). The text records nothing Joshua does to earn this, for the LORD says, “I have caused your iniquity to pass from you.” Then Joshua is clothed with rich clothing and a clean turban (verses 4 and 5). Joshua needed cleansing himself, but Jesus is a high priest with no sin of His own (Hebrews 7 verses 26 and 27).

The LORD promises His servant, the Branch, and a day of cleansing.

Joshua and his fellows are a sign, because the LORD will bring out His servant, the Branch (verse 8). Long before, the LORD promised to raise up a righteous Branch for David (Jeremiah 23 verse 5). This chapter does not explain the stone with seven eyes (verse 9). It does say, “I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” Then neighbors will invite one another under the vine and the fig tree (verse 10).

Memorise

Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.

Zechariah 3:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin am I trying to hide, and who can take it away?

Joshua stood in filthy clothes, and the LORD said, “I have caused your iniquity to pass from you.” Jesus is the great high priest who has no sin of His own, and He is the One who takes sin away. The angel told Joseph to call Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1 verse 21).

Our own clothes are filthy too, and we cannot wash them. On the cross Jesus took the sin of His people on Himself, and He gave His life once for all. That offering cannot be undone. The Father raised Him to life, and He now stands before God for His people.

If you know your sin, do not hide it. Turn from it and trust Jesus. Everyone who comes to Him is made clean, and nothing from the past is held against them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that only the LORD can take sin away, and that Jesus does it for His people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for taking sin away and for His servant, the Branch, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”

Acts 3:26

Lord God, thank You that You take sin away and clothe Your people in what is clean. Thank You for Jesus, who saves His people from their sins. Please show each one of us our sin, and lead us to turn from it and trust Him. Amen.