All Signs Point To Jesus
December 15, 2021·Kristin Gentry
I love the Book of Zechariah. It’s one of the earliest Old Testament pieces that depicts a more specific image of Salvation through Christ in the Bible — and not just for Israel, but for anyone in the world who accepts this gift from God. Let’s check it out!
Zechariah 3:8-10 (Amplified):
8 “’Now listen, Joshua, the high priest, you, and your colleagues who are sitting in front of you — indeed they are men who are a symbol of what is to come — for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch in Messianic glory. 9 For behold, the stone which I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes (symbolizing infinite intelligence, omniscience). Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will remove the wickedness and guilt of this land in a single day. 10 In that day,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and his fig tree enjoying peace and prosperity in the kingdom.’”
Chapter 3 in this book is all about one of the visions the prophet Zechariah has regarding the high priest, Joshua. At the beginning of this chapter, the prophet has this vision of Joshua being accused by Satan as he stands before the Lord. We see this image of Joshua wearing disgustingly filthy garments, and the Lord orders these rags be replaced with rich garments and a crown placed upon his head.
It’s made clear that Joshua is a symbol of God’s people, Israel. His putrid garments are a symbol of the sinful and disobedient Israel, in which God is calling out to them throughout the Old Testament minor prophets to “return to Him,” and the replacement of his clothes, with strikingly clean and rich garments, is a symbol of Yahweh cleansing Israel of their sin. How could Satan possibly accuse them now? He couldn’t. They were blemish free, and not by their own doing, but totally by the grace and goodness of Yahweh Himself.
And then we read that Jeshua, the high priest, is in fact a symbol of what is to come. The Branch, The Cornerstone, Jeshua Hamachiach, Jesus Messiah Himself — will remove the wickedness and guilt of anyone who chooses to have faith and believe in Jesus.
How amazing is this? 500 years before Jesus was even born, we see this illustration of promised salvation for anyone in the world who would choose to believe.
So, what does this mean for you today? First, it begins with an invitation. If you find yourself far from God in this season and thinking to yourself that a perfect God could never forgive you, let alone love you — you feel the finger of Satan shaking in your face — let me stop you right there and tell you that you couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s evident in the Book of Zechariah that His heart and intention would always be that His favorite of all creation (that’s you), simply return to Him, so He can trade your filth for His Salvation.
Second, in the same way God uses Joshua to illustrate what the coming Messiah would do for all people, I would challenge you with this question: In what ways are you pointing others to Jesus? I know this isn’t always the easiest responsibility to manage as a believer, but perhaps you can stop and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to and challenge your heart today. And let’s not stop with today. Together, let’s make it a regular habit of inviting the Holy Spirit to have His way in our hearts! Are you with me? I’m so grateful to be in community with you!
Pastor Kristin Gentry
