Love, Mercy, and Grace

Zechariah 3:4 (NET) - The angel spoke up to those standing all around, “Remove his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing.”

Zechariah is considered one of the minor prophets.

This term can be misinterpreted.

It does not refer to the importance of the prophet but rather the brevity of his book.

Zechariah’s importance must not be overlooked.

He clearly and frequently prophesied about the Messiah.

The opening verse is from the fourth vision experienced by the prophet.

In this vision, Zechariah describes the complete forgiveness of sin.

This is represented by a change of clothing.

The old, filthy, and perhaps even ragged clothes are removed.

They are replaced with new and fine clothes.

Zechariah’s vision of forgiveness and salvation can be attributed to one thing.

That one thing is grace!

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, also describes forgiveness through grace.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NET) - But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!

Paul uses the imagery of life and death to describe the effects of grace.

Sin makes us dead.

Through grace we are made alive once more.

We are made alive together with Christ.

On our own, redemption is impossible.

But through grace it is as simple as a change of clothing.

Zechariah saw our filthy rags replaced by fine new clothes.

Paul describes us as being brought back from lifelessness to life.

That is the power of grace!

Every aspect of our being is made new.

Again, we cannot do this on our own.

It is only possible because of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

A love, mercy, and grace manifested in Jesus.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 25, 2021.

I will be back here on Friday, July 2, 2021