December 14 2005 Zechariah 3:1-10
December 14, 2005 Zechariah 3:1-10
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Zechariah 3:4-5 “The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." And to him he said, "See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you with festal apparel." And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with the apparel; and the angel of the LORD was standing by.”
Have you ever received a totally unexpected reward or blessing? Something you never asked for, may not even have wanted, or known you wanted? And then when you got it, you were dumb struck, speechless, and overcome by a wide range of emotions.
Each time I really consider the forgiveness we have from God that is the position I find myself in. Nothing you or I could never do would earn forgiveness for the tiniest transgression. Yet God in mercy has taken our guilt away! I find myself in a position similar to Job when he wrote, “I know that my redeemer lives and at the last he will stand upon the earth… and my heart faints within me.”
The very idea that God would care enough about little old me take away the guilt I deserve is often more than I can bear. It causes me not just to tremble but to fall on my knees in prayer. The best thing is; God’s forgiveness isn’t just for me, it is for all of us! And it begins with a child born in a manger! Thanks be to God!
Gracious Lord, thank you for the gift of Christ and for the forgiveness he brings to us all. May we walk in the paths he leads today and always. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Contributed by Rev Andy O’Dowd
Click here for today’s podcast!
Zechariah 3:4-5 “The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." And to him he said, "See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you with festal apparel." And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with the apparel; and the angel of the LORD was standing by.”
Have you ever received a totally unexpected reward or blessing? Something you never asked for, may not even have wanted, or known you wanted? And then when you got it, you were dumb struck, speechless, and overcome by a wide range of emotions.
Each time I really consider the forgiveness we have from God that is the position I find myself in. Nothing you or I could never do would earn forgiveness for the tiniest transgression. Yet God in mercy has taken our guilt away! I find myself in a position similar to Job when he wrote, “I know that my redeemer lives and at the last he will stand upon the earth… and my heart faints within me.”
The very idea that God would care enough about little old me take away the guilt I deserve is often more than I can bear. It causes me not just to tremble but to fall on my knees in prayer. The best thing is; God’s forgiveness isn’t just for me, it is for all of us! And it begins with a child born in a manger! Thanks be to God!
Gracious Lord, thank you for the gift of Christ and for the forgiveness he brings to us all. May we walk in the paths he leads today and always. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Contributed by Rev Andy O’Dowd
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