Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool. — Isaiah 1:18

If you spend any time watching TV these days, it won’t take long before an advert comes on touting some amazing cleanser that will wash our clothes completely, regardless of the kind of stain. Many of these claims are exaggerated and don’t work nearly as well when we actually use the product. Quite often, deep, red stains from wine or blood never do come out completely.

Isaiah tells us of the amazing ‘cleansing power’ of our Lord. Though our sins are like deep, red stains of scarlet and crimson, Jesus has washed them completely away, and we will be glorified, as white as snow.

Martin Luther makes the point that Isaiah does not use the colour black to describe sin. Black is the colour of sadness. Red is the colour of guilt… blood guilt. Our blood guilt. How wonderful it is that the Saviour of the world has taken our punishment and made us white as snow. Now that is an amazing cleanser!

Dear Lord, thank You so much for removing the stain of our sin and purifying us through Your saving grace. Help us to lead purer lives, that we may be a bright, shining example to others. Amen.