From Rags To Riches

-October 5, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’”

(Zechariah 3:3).

Everyone loves a good rags to riches story. A person with nothing or next to nothing rises up to success, fame, or riches. Today’s text is a great lesson for us.

The Prophet Zechariah had a vision of Joshua, the high priest, standing before the Lord in filthy garments. God is speaking here of the nation of Israel, but it has application to us as sinners saved by grace through faith. Only God transform a life from the inside out, and turn one right side up.

Israel had a very humble beginning but God blessed her by His matchless mercy and grace. Israel’s problem of sin had to be dealt with. The same is true of us. We were born in sin and conceived in iniquity. God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins and give us eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and a new life in Christ.

What an exchange for us! He removed the filthy garments of our sin and give us white robes of righteousness in their place. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us from our sin and give us peace within. But God not stop there by showing us mercy, He then clothed us in the righteousness of Christ, which is by His grace. From the gutter of sin to the palace of heaven; from being aliens, outcasts, and enemies to being children of the King.

It is all God’s doing. None of us deserve it. Notice how Joshua is clothed in rich robes. Does it not remind you of the prodigal son returning to his father who hugs and kisses him and welcomes him back, taking off his rags and clothing him in a robe, putting a ring his finger, and throwing the biggest party ever.

We can rejoice we have something greater to look forward to in heaven with the Lord for all eternity. The Lord Jesus said, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of in the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).

Are you dressed in the righteousness of Christ? No one can go to heaven without it. The hymn writer Edward Mote wrote, “When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

May you have a blessed day clothed in Christ’s righteousness, thankful for all He has done for us. Stay safe and healthy.

From rags of sin to riches of glory, let us go out and tell our wonderful story.

Dean