Washed Clean
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22
In a song my family was listening to the other day, the words of the song said “Jesus washed us with his blood.” My elementary-aged son immediately asked, “Mom, when did Jesus wash me with his blood?” What a good question! Perhaps he thought that he had missed an important event in his life that involved being washed in blood. . . that seems like it would be a pretty memorable occasion (and a bit bizarre!).
Have you ever heard someone say that Jesus’ blood makes us clean, but had no clue what this really meant for you? How can we, people who do wrong a lot and who live in a world filled with sin and brokenness, be seen as clean by God?
When Jesus, who lived a perfect and sin-free life, died on the cross, he took the consequences that we should have received for the wrong that we do. He took on himself all the sin of every person that’s ever lived or ever will live.
So, it was like he had done all the wrong in the world. When he took all our bad, he gave us all his good, all his perfection or righteousness. This was a gift that is beyond words! When Jesus is our Lord, he gives us his righteousness. We are seen as perfectly righteous people! We are no longer defined by our sins or our mistakes–we are identified as Jesus’ beloved children.
Did we earn this? Was it our trying to be good or to have perfect behavior? No, not at all! . . . Jesus gave it to us because he loves us. It was a free gift that allows us to be in relationship with God, the Father.
So, if you ever feel stuck in thinking about the wrong that you’ve done, worried that you’ve used up your chances with God or sure that he’s exasperated with how many times you’ve messed up, turn to him.
Tell God how you’re feeling and talk to yourself about who he says you are. When Jesus is your rescuer, you have been washed clean and given fresh, spotless clothes to wear.
For Further Reading: Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Ezekiel 36:25-27