November 26, 2021

Isaiah 1:18
“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.
John 14:2-3
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
One of these days we are going to see snow on the ground. It’s November in Illinois. That first fallen snow is so beautiful. Soft, white, CLEAN and even sparkly. Winter in IL is way too long but I have to say, sometimes that snow is really something! Think for a moment about the contrast. Sin as a dark red, almost like blood (imagine that, since it was Jesus’ blood that washed us white as snow). Have you ever tried to get a blood stain or some red dye out of material? Often times even bleach cannot do it. But God made us promises. The first being all the way back in the Old Testament, long before Jesus was born that there would be a savior who would wash us clean. The 2nd one I chose today is where Jesus promises that if we love and follow Him, he will come back & take us to heaven one day to be with Him.
I heard a lady talking about her fluffy white puppy who ran out in the rain and was covered in mud. She cleaned up every inch of that furry, muddy mess so that he was suitable to come into the house. Jesus cleans us like that, so that we are suitable to stand in the presence of the King of Kings.
I have to say, I get a little emotional realizing that I cannot on my own make it through one day (possibly, one hour) without sinning. But Jesus knew that when He gave His life for me, for us. Isn’t it exciting that if YOU were the only person on the face of the earth, He would have died for you, so that you would not have to spend eternity separated from him in hell!
I think about Jesus’ sacrifice often & thank God, but sometimes it’s good to look deeper. Like the fact that He used the deep color crimson & the clean, crisp color of white as contrast of HOW easy it is for Him to make us clean. What an amazing LOVE is this?
Heavenly Father, thank you today for all my blessings, but most of all, thank you that you sent your only son to die to save me from the horrible eternity, that I deserve. I look forward to the day that I can stand in your presence, AMEN.