Symbol of Baptism
“Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by. The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.”
Today’s Text: Zechariah 3:1-10 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
Zechariah continues to share a vision given to God’s people who had returned from exile. Upon their return, they were deeply discouraged to find their homeland still lying in ruins. During this time, Joshua served as the high priest (not the same Joshua from the book of Joshua).
In Zechariah’s vision, Joshua stands before the angel of the Lord while Satan accuses him of sin and unworthiness. However, the Lord rebukes Satan and declares that Joshua has been chosen and forgiven. Joshua’s filthy garments represent his sin and guilt, so the angel commands that his filthy clothes be removed and replaced with clean and rich garments, along with a turban (a symbol of the transformation process we go through because of the blood of Christ). God then charges Joshua to walk in His ways and remain obedient to His commands, promising to establish Joshua’s authority and grant him access to His presence. The vision concludes with a prophetic reference to the coming Messiah, through whom ultimate forgiveness and restoration would be fulfilled.
One of the most favorite moments of ministry are the days I get to witness someone in our church being baptized. There is something powerful about watching someone be submerged underwater and then raised up, fully aware of what it represents. Every baptism is a living picture of God’s grace.
I’ve had the privilege and honor to baptized many throughout my 11 years of ministry. The process was the same every time. I would introduce the individual getting baptized. Then I would read a passage before explaining the meaning behind the baptism. One passage continuously comes into mind which is Romans 6:4 where it reads here in the King James Version, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
This passage captures the essence of baptism perfectly. When I baptize people, I always say the following lines as I am baptizing a person, “Buried in the likeness of His death, raised in the likeness of His resurrection.” As the person is submerged underwater, it symbolizes the death of their old, sins, and failures. When they are brought up from the water, it represents their new life in Christ, washed clean and clothed in His righteousness. A reflection of 2 Corinthians 5:17 where it says here in the King James Version, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The vision where Joshua removes his filthy clothes and wears new garments that are clean, fresh, and rich reminds me of baptism. Each baptism I witnessed is a living reminder that it is by God’s grace that one’s life is transformed, given hope, restoration, and a fresh start. Satan can no longer accuse us of our sin and unworthiness. And while baptism is not required for one’s salvation, it is a beautiful outward expression of the inward change in an individual’s life. It is a celebration of God’s grace transforming one’s heart through the gospel.
May we continuously be reminded of this amazing truth, that it is the gospel that transforms our lives from a sinful past Ito a saved, redeemed life. No matter what our past is, God’s grace through the love of Christ makes all things new, calling us to walk faithfully in His ways.
Almighty and Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and the new life we have through Christ. May we be reminded continuously of Your forgiveness and the renewal we have through the gospel. Help us to walk daily in the newness of life You have called us to, clothed in Your righteousness and guided by Your Spirit. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Note: If you were never baptized and would like to be baptized, please contact one of our pastors or our church office at ministry@torrancegccem.org
