The Spiritual Courtroom and Our Great High Priest

based on the Sermon, “Jesus Christ: The Great High Priest” by Pastor R. Collins
Click here to listen to the full message.
 
With a surge of high-profile court cases making headlines, many Americans are left wondering what kind of moment we’re living through. From the YSL RICO trial in Georgia to the Karen Read murder case in Boston, and now the explosive federal sex crime charges against Sean “Diddy” Combs, the nation watches in disbelief, searching for answers in a whirlwind of legal drama and public scrutiny.
 
But have you ever stopped to think that right now, at this very moment, you are standing trial? Not in a courtroom down the street, but in a spiritual courtroom. A courtroom you can’t see. A courtroom where every word, every deed, and even every intention is being weighed, where Heaven’s Judge presides in perfect righteousness. And where, standing at your right hand, there is an accuser—a spiritual prosecutor, pointing out every flaw, every failure, every sin. This is the divine drama unfolding in Zechariah 3, where the prophet is given a vision:
 
“And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” (Zechariah 3:1)
 
But what’s beautiful is that in this courtroom stands a high priest who serves as your advocate and provides tools to take us to another level. If you read more into Zechariah’s story, here's where everything changes.

The name “Joshua” in Hebrew is the same as “Jesus.” In this vision, we see Joshua, who is symbolic of the people of God, standing accused and filthy before God. He’s not wearing clean robes. He’s not standing proud. He’s covered in the grime of sin, much like we are when we try to stand in God’s presence on our own. And yet, the Lord says: 
“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.”
(Zechariah 3:2) 
 
This is not just a historical moment; it’s a heavenly picture of what Christ does for us every day. In that eternal courtroom, we have an Advocate, Jesus Christ, our great High Priest --who stands not just to defend us, but to clothe us in righteousness.

In verse 4, something powerful happens: “Take off his filthy clothes.” “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” 
 
This is grace in motion. You and I, who were guilty as charged, are not merely pardoned, we are cleansed. Our filth is removed. Our sin is not just covered but taken away. And in its place, we are dressed in garments we didn’t earn -- garments of holiness, garments of sonship, garments of righteousness. 
 
This is not a plea bargain. This is not probation. This is complete and total justification by the blood of Jesus.

Revelation 12 calls Satan the accuser of the brethren, who accuses us before God day and night. He knows your past. He knows your weaknesses. He’ll drag every sin out of the closet, whether they be true or false, and throw it before God, hoping it sticks. 
But what Satan won’t tell you is this -- we have a better advocate than he is an accuser. 
 
Hebrews 2 reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, became like us -- took on our flesh -- so that through His death, He might destroy him who had the power of death—that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14) 
 
Jesus is not only our High Priest, He is also our sacrifice. The one who pleads for us is the one who bled for us. He brings His own blood as evidence that the debt is paid in full. 

The blood of Jesus isn’t symbolic. It’s not metaphorical. It is real power. Power to cleanse. Power to restore. Power to erase. Scripture says that God will remove the iniquity of the land in one day (Zechariah 3:9). And He did…on Calvary. That’s why the devil hates the blood. He doesn’t want you to talk about it. He doesn't want you to plead it. Because when you begin to understand what the blood of Jesus really accomplished, his accusations lose their power.
 
Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. (Romans 8:33) 
 
So, when the enemy comes whispering reminders of your past, stand your ground. You don’t need to defend yourself; you have an Advocate. 
 
Tell him:
"The Lord rebuke you."
"I’ve been washed."
"I’ve been clothed in righteousness."
"You can't bring up what the blood already buried." 

Jesus didn’t cleanse you just to keep you feeling guilty. He made you new, so walk in it. 
Zechariah 3:7 says: This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.
 
God gives us clean garments so we can walk differently. You’re not just forgiven, you’re commissioned. You're no longer standing in court as a defendant; you are now a witness, a child of the King, a testimony of grace. 
 
So today, lift your head. Lift your hands. Lift your voice. 
You’ve been acquitted.
You’ve been washed.
You’ve been chosen. 
And you are forever covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest.

Heavenly Father, 
 
I come before You today with awe and gratitude, knowing that even now, I stand in a spiritual courtroom. Though the enemy stands to accuse me day and night, I thank You for being my Advocate, standing to defend me. 
 
Lord, I confess that I am unworthy on my own. My garments were once filthy. My life was stained by sin, and I stood guilty as charged. But because of Your precious blood, I am no longer condemned. You have rebuked the adversary on my behalf. You have removed my filthy garments and clothed me in righteousness. I thank You for plucking me out of the fire and calling me Your own. 
 
Jesus, You are not only my High Priest; you are my sacrifice. You didn’t just plead my case; You paid the price. You offered Your blood so that I could be justified, sanctified, and made whole. I worship You for standing between me and judgment, for bearing my sin, and for forever securing my place in Your Kingdom. 
 
Help me now to walk in the new garments You’ve given me. Let me not return to shame or live under the voice of condemnation. Silence every lie of the accuser and remind me daily that I am washed, I am chosen, and I am free. Give me the courage to testify of Your goodness and to live in victory, not defeat. 
 
Cover my mind, my heart, and my steps with Your blood. Teach me to walk in Your ways and fulfill the calling You’ve placed on my life. I accept the identity You’ve given me --not based on my past, but on Your finished work. 
 
Thank You, Lord, for ruling in my favor. Thank You for Your mercy that never fails. And thank You for the power of the blood that makes all things new. 
 
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, my High Priest and Redeemer, I pray, 
Amen.