DRESSED IN WHITE

Today's reading: Zechariah 1-7

"Then the angel showed me Jeshua[a] the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan,[b] was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel.  So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by." Zechariah 3:1-5 NLT

When I was in grade school we occasionally had the exciting thrill of going on a field trip. The announcement would come for weeks ahead of time. The anticipation would build. The rules were clearly and plainly spoken by the teacher for days ahead of the scheduled event.

And in the midst of the instruction? The teacher asked us to make sure we all wore a certain color of shirt. Maybe she picked red. Or blue. Or green.

She wanted us all to match, so that when she scanned the crowd, she immediately knew who was hers. The green shirt approaching the cannon re-enactment site was hers. The green shirt climbing on the monkey bars was one of hers. The green shirt sliding down the slide was one of hers. The green shirt sticking his arm through the bars of the lion's cage was hers. So on and so forth. A quick glance caused immediate recognition.

I think of that when I read this morning's Scripture passage and consider that since I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and live in my heart, I have been clothed in His righteousness.

He has placed His coverings over me.

He took my old, dirty, filthy rags and placed on me a white robe of His own perfection, redemption and salvation!

So when God looks across this entire world--He can spot who are His.

He sees us when we worship, when we witness, when we wobble in our faith.

He no longer sees who we once were, He now sees us clothed in Jesus!