A Pastor’s Perspective

“Completely Pooped” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

BANG!  BANG!  R-R-R-R-I-I-I-P!  The nails released their desperate grip on the weathered and old wood frame.  Another metal sheet was added to the collection. 

I mentioned to my friend about the lean-to freshly built on our pasture.  He proceeded to offer a proposition I couldn’t resist.  He said that instead of having to purchase new metal for the lean-to, I could have all the metal I wanted for free from an old barn he planned to demolish. 

Last week, with tools in hand and fervent ambition in heart, I trekked on top the pitched metal roof.  “Wow!  Each metal piece has about 20 nails!”  I yelled down at my lovely assistant.  My wife listened with an empathetic ear.  Determined, I set to work.

After ripping off ten or so sheets, the wind kicked up.  I wasn’t too concerned about being blown off the building.  However, the straw and ancient 5-foot-deep manure mix that covered the floor began to fly through the roof and into my face.  I felt like I was sitting atop the end of a huge excrement exhaust system.  I suppose if I was able to examine myself under a microscope, the results would not be so surprising.  Manure particles in my clothes, shoes, face, ears, eyes, and nose.  I imagined myself completely covered in poop.

We are given a behind the scenes look into the spiritual realm concerning Joshua’s role as high priest in Israel.  Zechariah 3 describes: 

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes’” (Zech. 3:1-4).

To the human eye, I’m sure Zechariah looked quite religious and righteous.  After all, he was part of the priesthood!  Yet, to God’s eyes, he was spiritually unrighteous.  He was clothed in filthy garments.  The word “filthy” in the Hebrew is literally from the same root word meaning “excrement.”  The Lord Himself stood up for Joshua and graciously forgave and cleansed his sin. 

Physically, you may currently be wearing clean clothes.  Your circle of friends may even view you as religious and righteous.  But how do you truly appear before a holy God?  Like Joshua, are you wearing spiritually filthy clothes?  Jesus died on the Cross for you.  The Righteous for the unrighteous.  By faith, turn in your soiled, poop-filled garments and ask Him to clothe you in His righteousness!  That is only possible by the blood of Jesus. 

By the way, I was back on the roof the next day, but this time with a mask and goggles.  Hope my lungs look better than my clothes did.