“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 ESV)
Forgiveness (2) and Hope
Lately I have been trying to drink less carbonated drinks. Since I am not a fan of drinking water straight, I have been using one of those powdered drink mixes. My favorite flavor is called Raspberry Ice.
Almost.
The problem with Raspberry Ice is that it stains. Because it is red. Other colors of powdered drink mix do not stain as readily, or as badly. But that red dye leaves marks on tabletops, shirtsleeves, carpeting, and lips.
Maybe Isaiah was thinking about Raspberry Ice powdered drink mix.
Because our sins stain like that.
Our sins are noticeable, damaging, and embarrassingly ugly.
But no matter how red-stained our sins make us, there is something that gets rid of the mark. Jesus’ red blood somehow makes our red stains disappear. Better than that, Jesus’ red blood makes our red stains pure, clean, and beautiful.
Today we feel shame, remorse, sorrow, embarrassment, fear, loneliness, and guilt. Today we might not think that stain will EVER come out.
But in Christ, and Christ alone, the stain will be gone.
The crimson will be as white as snow.
Take the hope God grants us.