The problem of guilt is always with us as Christians, not because we dwell on it, but because it pops into our minds when we are least expecting it. A few years ago, as I was driving to work, then in my 60s, thoughts popped into my mind of things I had done almost a half century before that made me feel shame. I knew the scriptures mentioned in Parts 2 and 3, but I still felt very uncomfortable though I had asked forgiveness for those sins. For several days, those memories bothered me.
I had been reading the Minor Prophets for several weeks, and, about that time, I began reading the prophet Zechariah. Zechariah and Haggai were prophets during the time of the reconstruction of the Temple at Jerusalem. The Jewish people had returned from Babylon with permission from King Cyrus to rebuild the temple to the Lord. After starting the rebuilding, the people faced opposition and had become discouraged. They left off doing what they wee supposed to do and started building houses for themselves, farming, and running their businesses. Haggai and Zechariah were sent by God to get them back on track to rebuilding the temple, and they were successful in their ministries. “At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them and helped them.” Ezra 5:1-2 (NLT).
Now imagine you were Jeshua the high priest of the people and you were reprimanded for not fulfilling your ministry obligations of rebuilding the temple. Jeshua, I am sure had a lot of guilt to deal with, but Zechariah had a vision that helped Jeshua overcome his guilt and motivated him to get the work accomplished. “Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire’.” Zech 3:1-2 (NLT). Yes, Satan is often the one who whispers in our ear about the sins we have committed in the past, but notice what the Lord said to Satan; He rejected Satan’s accusations and rebuked Satan for bringing charges against Jeshua. Why? Because the Lord had already redeemed Jeshua by faith.
“Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, ‘Take off his filthy clothes’. And turning to Jeshua he said, ‘See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes’. Then I said, ‘They should also place a clean turban on his head’. So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by.” Zech 3:3-5 (NLT). The Lord used the illustration of clothing to show the new nature placed in Jeshua. Isaiah used this illustration when he encouraged the people to repent and “though your sins be as scarlet they will be as white as snow”. Paul also used the same type of illustration by telling Christians they have put off the old nature and put on a new one.
Then, to complete the thought, the Lord told Jeshua he had a job to do for the Lord. “Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here’.” Zech 3:6-7 (NLT). Jeshua’s job was to build up the Kingdom of God in preparation for the Branch, a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, who would come and remove sins in a single day.
Yes, that is God’s plan for us as well. Jesus said, “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them. for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matt 6:7-13 (NLT). I don’t think Jesus would have told His disciples to pray if He thought that God’s kingdom could not come on earth. Perhaps the reason Jesus has not come already is because His people, the church, has been sitting around feeling guilty about past sins instead of hearing and following God’s message to share the gospel. Remember, God is very patient because He doesn’t want anyone to be condemned but to have eternal life.