I'm ashamed to admit it, but in my pre-teen years I had a very foul mouth. A boy named Gary, the neighborhood bully and three years older than me, lived next door to me and my family and he always threatened to tell my dad about my well-hidden sin. Many Sunday mornings he would stand in his driveway as we loaded up for church, smiling his devilish smile, and say, "Good morning Mr. Morris." I was petrified. I'll never know why, but Gary never did tell on me.
In the Old Testament book of Zechariah 3:1-10, Joshua the high priest stands before God's tribunal in heaven. Defiled, like me, his filthy garments exposed his guilty heart. Like Gary, who threatened to accuse me before my father, Satan, the ultimate accuser, was standing ready to accuse Joshua. Yet the Lord rebukes Satan and commands that Joshua's stained clothing be replaced by spotless festal robes - a preview of a deep cleansing to come, when God's servant the Branch arrives.
During this Advent season, leading up to Christmas when the Church celebrates the incarnation, I'm sure you'll join me in celebrating the fact that our Advocate; the Lord Jesus Christ has come. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:33-34
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Who will bring any charge against God's elect? No one praise God! Not even Gary.
Pastor Van
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