We’ve often heard stories of bath time rituals from many years ago, how everyone in the family bathed in the kitchen, in the same tub water, one by one, until all were clean. My sympathies lie with either the perceived dirtiest, or the young–because they were probably last! And who decided the order?! Maybe the one who readied the tub??
Jesus is the Word. He went before us. He did all the work. In His finished work, He made our way. And it is His desire to cleanse us from all that stains us. Unlike the scenario above, His mercies are fresh and new each morning! All who come to Him get the same fresh cleansing when we come in full sincerity, ready to be scrubbed clean by Him, in Him, and by His indwelling Holy Spirit. (Jesus IS the Word! John 1)
“…as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:25-27
And yet…
To the Phickle Pharisee reading this: You perceive yourselves already clean. You stand outside the tub and pridefully size up the crowd and decide “who’s next”. So quick to read the Bible with a “this is to the wicked, not me” stance, scrubbing the perceived dirty while standing outside the tub. Hello?!
GET IN THE TUB!
This beautiful Book was written to the Redeemed! Written as our example–for doctrine, reproof, instruction in righteousness. Yes, we should lovingly administer It to all…but:
WE should WASH in the water of the Word–not just squirt down everyone else!
This Word is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword! It is JESUS!! And in Him, every stain washes away!!
I love the story in John 13:1-17 where Jesus girds Himself and begins to wash the disciples feet. If you dare, read it and join me in Peter’s declaration:
“Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands, and my head!”
Allow God’s Word to wash over you first. And then stay standing in the tub while “soaping up” the rest!
Scrub a dub dub Church! Scrub a dub dub!! 🙂
With love IN Him–and “soap” in my eyes 😉 ,
Sheila
Suggested reading: John 1, John 15:3, John 17:17, Ephesians 5:25-26, Lamentations 3:22-26
