Cleansing

Americans, in general, are never satisfied.  We have a tendency to seek the newest, the biggest, the fastest,… the best.  Marketers understand that this notion is ingrained in our minds, and they use it to their full advantage.  For example, consider the promises prominently stated in cleaning product commercials.  “You’re not fully clean until you’re Zestfully clean.”  “Tide’s in – Dirt’s out.”  “You’ll want our product, giving up yours.”  “Setting a shining example throughout the area.”  “The Ultimate Shine.”  Never mind that the cleaning products we already have work just fine.  (Honestly, our particular vulnerability for buying the newest cleaning products is probably more revealing about our lack of desire to put in the necessary effort.)

Spiritually, we also crave the same benefits for our life.  Fortunately, God planned and provided the best cleansing for our soul through his son, Jesus Christ.

The world recently celebrated Easter, observing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I wonder how many looked beyond the commercialized trappings of the day and caught the significance of the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood?

God provided Jesus as an atoning sacrifice, removing our sins.  Jesus Christ is God’s son and a sinless, unblemished lamb.  He is a gift from a merciful God.  Jesus is a once-in-a-lifetime, once-is-enough, perfect offering, so that we can obtain eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-14).  We have been “justified by his blood” (Romans 5:9).

Don’t you know, Peter states, “It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).  John tells us, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin” (1 John 1:7).

There’s no need to look further.  God has the answer you seek.  Jesus Christ offers the ultimate cleansing.  In God’s eyes, through the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood, you are spotless and pure.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, please accept our thanks for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.  As you promised, we believe Jesus’ blood has the power to cleanse us, completely removing the stain of our sins.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith
Stephenville, Texas