Observation: The prophet Zechariah is writing from Jerusalem, after the people have returned from exile in Babylon. During that time, the community was concerned with reestablishing its spiritual identity and rebuilding the temple. In Zechariah's vision, Joshua, the high priest, is being accused of sin by Satan. But an angel comes to Joshua's defense, and takes off his filthy clothes, replacing them with festival garments. God promises, "I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day."
Application: Every Lent, and especially near Good Friday, one question always creeps up on me: "Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? If God is able and willing to forgive our sin, why doesn't God just do it?" Reading this prophecy from Zechariah, that God will remove the guilt of an entire nation in a single day, it seems that God is both able and willing to forgive at a moment's notice. What needs to be overcome is the voice of the accuser--"the Satan", in Hebrew--which tells us it can't be that easy. No way. Our sin is too big, our shame is too deep, our distance from God is too far. God can't, or won't, just forgive us.
It's not God's wrath that is overcome on the cross. It is our own. Our wrath at God, at one another, at ourselves, and that wrathful voice, whether it comes from inside us our outside, that never stops bringing up the many ways we fall short. On the cross, the voice of shame goes to battle with the voice of God's love, and of course, Love wins. In a single day, all our centuries of missteps melt away like ice in springtime. When God enters into our shame, it cannot survive as it is. It must be transformed. It happened that single day--but it also happens every day.
Prayer: God, silence the accuser in my heart. Come to me in the depths of my shame and show me your love. Transform my life by the power of your cross. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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