Brands Plucked from the Fire

“Discover how a 3,000-year-old vision of a silent priest and a “burning stick” reveals the staggering power of Christ to silence your accuser and clothe you in his own righteousness.”

Sermon Summary

In the shadowy "night visions" of the prophet Zechariah, we encounter a dramatic courtroom scene that mirrors the deepest anxieties of the human soul. Standing before the "Angel of the Lord" is Joshua the High Priest, the representative of God’s people. He is not dressed in the pristine robes required by holy law; instead, he is clothed in filthy garments—a word signifying the uncleanness of human iniquity.

At his right hand stands Satan, the accuser, ready not just to litigate but to execute a sentence of death. Joshua remains silent, for what can a man covered in sewage say to a holy God?. Yet, the silence is broken by the Mediator, the pre-incarnate Christ, who rebukes the adversary. He declares Joshua to be a "brand plucked from the fire"—a charred, burning stick rescued from certain destruction.

In a divine exchange of grace, the Lord commands the removal of the filthy rags, declaring, "I have taken your iniquity away from you". Joshua is clothed in pure vestments and a clean turban, signifying full restoration and access to God’s presence. This vision points directly to the Branch, the Servant of the Lord, who removes the iniquity of the land in a single day upon the cross. Whether you are a "moral" person or a broken soul, this is the gospel: we are sustained not by our own cleanliness, but by the ongoing mercy of the One who plucked us from the flame.

Sermon Text: Zechariah 3

Date: February 22, 2026

Preacher: Todd Pylant

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