Sunday, November 22, 2009
My Servant, the BRANCH
(Zechariah 3:1-10)
The term “BRANCH” is a messianic title found frequently in the Old Testament (Isa. 4:2; Jer. 23:5, 33:15; etc.). In fact, Jews from antiquity to the present uniformly interpret the title BRANCH as a reference to the Messiah. Thus, when Zechariah mentions the BRANCH, he is speaking of Jesus Christ.
In Zechariah’s vision, Joshua is seen in battle against Satan. Joshua’s garments were filthy, so the Lord took away the garments and provided Joshua with a “change of raiment” (4). The filthy garments pictured sin, while the change of raiment illustrates forgiveness. Joshua, freshly cleansed from sin, was commanded to obey the Lord (7).
The promise of the coming of the BRANCH follows Joshua’s divine cleansing. When the Messiah finally appears, God will remove the “iniquity of that land in one day.” In other words, the BRANCH, the Messiah, will ultimately cleanse Israel from her sins. That day, yet future, will coincide with the Second Coming of Christ at the close of the Tribulation Period. Jews who survived the awful days of tribulation will recognize Jesus as their true Messiah. They will mourn in repentance and believe the Gospel (Zech. 12:10-13:1). In that day, all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:26).
God’s plan of salvation has never changed. Man, arrayed in the filthy garments of his sin, is in need of cleansing. Unable to cleanse himself, God offers a change of raiment, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, to all who trust in Christ’s blood atonement on the cross.
