The Message
When I think of a trial, I think of the high priest Joshua (not the battle of Jericho Joshua) standing before God in Zechariah 3. Satan stands ready to accuse, but before Satan can say a word, the Lord rebukes Satan and calls for Zechariah to be honored. It's one of my favorite passages in Scripture -- Joshua was a great priest, Satan was determined to tear him down, but God intervened regardless of Satan and honors Joshua. It reminds me how Satan is always ready to attack us, at any time and in any place, and yet God takes the first word and redeems us, honors us, and rebukes Satan, even when we are too weak to do so.
In the same way, they're drumming up false charges against Jesus, and they eventually resort to lies and made-up stories to try and convict him. The truth cannot convict him.
Friends, someday, you and I will stand before God. Satan tries to convince us that we have to stand before God on our own merit, that we'll have to rely upon our own strength and deeds to pass the test. May Scripture assure you that when you stand before God, you will be seen as blameless, thanks to the work of Christ. You will be celebrated as holy, thanks to the work of Christ. You will be treasured and beloved, perfect in every way, because Christ has suffered the punishment of sin and made life eternal possible for you.
We need not fear the trial, no matter the accusations, no matter the things that lie in our past, because our hope is in Christ, who stands ready to forgive, having spoken a word of grace over us that will cover us for all of time.
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