Isaiah 1:16-18
16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
... stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
This time of year, when the world is white as snow (depending on where you live), those verses are tangible. Even the most unsightly landscape can become a thing of beauty after it is covered in snow. Fields that have been harvested and lay silent in their muddy repose are suddenly a blinding cape of shimmering diamonds as the winter sun dances across their newly received splendor. Decrepit, abandoned barns and farm houses take on a romantic glow of memories long passed under a table cover of white.
Now imagine yourself covered in that garment of holiness, shining so brightly in the gift of forgiveness that is yours by the crimson blood of Jesus Christ. We are robed in those snowy white garments. Perhaps not when we view ourselves or each other, but most certainly when we are viewed by God. He would not want us clothed in any other way. And Christ! Oh what he went through to purchase these robes for us! His blood is the only fiber these robes can be crafted from. His thorns have stitched them together. His love for us gifts each of us with the snowy white mantle to purify us in the sight of the Father.
The next time you are blinded by the snow, say “Thank You”. And remember that your holiness in the sight of God is just as beautiful.
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you thank you thank you. Thank you for the purchase of the snow white sanctification we receive when we believe that you died for us. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for life in you, with you, beside you. Thank you God for loving us so much that you couldn’t stand to see us covered in the filth of sin. Forgive us for taking your love for granted every day. In Jesus name, Amen.
16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
... stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
This time of year, when the world is white as snow (depending on where you live), those verses are tangible. Even the most unsightly landscape can become a thing of beauty after it is covered in snow. Fields that have been harvested and lay silent in their muddy repose are suddenly a blinding cape of shimmering diamonds as the winter sun dances across their newly received splendor. Decrepit, abandoned barns and farm houses take on a romantic glow of memories long passed under a table cover of white.
Now imagine yourself covered in that garment of holiness, shining so brightly in the gift of forgiveness that is yours by the crimson blood of Jesus Christ. We are robed in those snowy white garments. Perhaps not when we view ourselves or each other, but most certainly when we are viewed by God. He would not want us clothed in any other way. And Christ! Oh what he went through to purchase these robes for us! His blood is the only fiber these robes can be crafted from. His thorns have stitched them together. His love for us gifts each of us with the snowy white mantle to purify us in the sight of the Father.
The next time you are blinded by the snow, say “Thank You”. And remember that your holiness in the sight of God is just as beautiful.
Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you thank you thank you. Thank you for the purchase of the snow white sanctification we receive when we believe that you died for us. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for life in you, with you, beside you. Thank you God for loving us so much that you couldn’t stand to see us covered in the filth of sin. Forgive us for taking your love for granted every day. In Jesus name, Amen.
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