Continuing our walk through Zechariah 3, in this post we focus on how the things we read in this chapter continue to have an impact on us.
First, when we look at this story, we see something interesting. Joshua, the high priest, stands accused by Satan. He is also found wearing filthy garments. Some significance of this for us is the reminder that those who serve our Lord by bringing the word to us are sinful human beings (the pastor and others who share that word with us), and that Satan is constantly accusing them and pushing his attacks on them repeatedly. Truthfully, there is no greater victory for Satan than when he is able to bring about the downfall of a minister of God's grace. It has great impact on those who are part of that church, and can cause people to doubt their faith in the forgiveness announced through such a person.
One way that impacts us is in our realization that Satan is out to get the one who brings that message of Good News to us. He is sinful, and Satan will remind him of that quite often. That means that we are called to be supportive of our minister as a sinful human being who is under attack. He needs help and support for the work that he does. He faces attacks from Satan, which means that any attacks against him from within the congregation are actually serving to add fuel to Satan's accusations. The minister needs prayer, needs tangible support, and needs encouragement, for he faces far more challenges than simply in keeping God's people happy (which, by the way, is NOT what he is called to do, contrary to how many may think.).
When you look at the way chapter 3 ends, you see this interesting little statement. Every one of you will invite your neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree. One thing God continues to look for in response to His message of Good News is a gracious invitation toward others to come to hear that same Good News. There is an element of hospitality at work here, both on a personal level (you being hospitable in your life) as well on a congregational level (being hospitable to those who visit, or even seeking to invite others to come hear the Good News). In essence, as God establishes the message of Good News among His people, He seeks for them to be open hospitable to others, inviting them to share in the same gifts and blessings that they have received themselves.
That urges us to look at the ways that we can be hospitable in our lives. It's more than just opening up your house to others. Think of it more as being an open, inviting person in all areas of your life. Yes, ultimately we hope to invite them to hear and receive the Good News, but even if that doesn't happen, we are still called to be hospitable toward them. Our hospitality is not to be an evangelistic tool, but to be genuine, even if they don't hear the Good News. Our hope and prayer is that they become open to that message, but if not, we don't "drop" them as a friend because they are not responding the way we hoped. Our call to be hospitable isn't to be excercised only if they come to hear the Good News. It is instead a call to a way of life, through which God's Spirit may choose to work as He wills and as He sees fit.
First, when we look at this story, we see something interesting. Joshua, the high priest, stands accused by Satan. He is also found wearing filthy garments. Some significance of this for us is the reminder that those who serve our Lord by bringing the word to us are sinful human beings (the pastor and others who share that word with us), and that Satan is constantly accusing them and pushing his attacks on them repeatedly. Truthfully, there is no greater victory for Satan than when he is able to bring about the downfall of a minister of God's grace. It has great impact on those who are part of that church, and can cause people to doubt their faith in the forgiveness announced through such a person.
One way that impacts us is in our realization that Satan is out to get the one who brings that message of Good News to us. He is sinful, and Satan will remind him of that quite often. That means that we are called to be supportive of our minister as a sinful human being who is under attack. He needs help and support for the work that he does. He faces attacks from Satan, which means that any attacks against him from within the congregation are actually serving to add fuel to Satan's accusations. The minister needs prayer, needs tangible support, and needs encouragement, for he faces far more challenges than simply in keeping God's people happy (which, by the way, is NOT what he is called to do, contrary to how many may think.).
When you look at the way chapter 3 ends, you see this interesting little statement. Every one of you will invite your neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree. One thing God continues to look for in response to His message of Good News is a gracious invitation toward others to come to hear that same Good News. There is an element of hospitality at work here, both on a personal level (you being hospitable in your life) as well on a congregational level (being hospitable to those who visit, or even seeking to invite others to come hear the Good News). In essence, as God establishes the message of Good News among His people, He seeks for them to be open hospitable to others, inviting them to share in the same gifts and blessings that they have received themselves.
That urges us to look at the ways that we can be hospitable in our lives. It's more than just opening up your house to others. Think of it more as being an open, inviting person in all areas of your life. Yes, ultimately we hope to invite them to hear and receive the Good News, but even if that doesn't happen, we are still called to be hospitable toward them. Our hospitality is not to be an evangelistic tool, but to be genuine, even if they don't hear the Good News. Our hope and prayer is that they become open to that message, but if not, we don't "drop" them as a friend because they are not responding the way we hoped. Our call to be hospitable isn't to be excercised only if they come to hear the Good News. It is instead a call to a way of life, through which God's Spirit may choose to work as He wills and as He sees fit.
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