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 1:18b

Have you ever had a run-in with something red? Perhaps a sock that strayed into the laundry, wine for a birthday toast that, oops, spilled on the carpet, or little Johnny expressing himself with a mural using Mom’s Red Joy lipstick? If you have, then you know crimson does not come out. So it is with our sin when held up to God’s perfectly white standard of love and obedience. You may forever have a pink sock, but — good news — there’s something else red that cleanses us from sin: Jesus’ blood.

No, wait! Red sin forgiven and cleansed with red blood? That doesn’t make sense. Thank God that we don’t have to understand His promises. We just need to trust and rest in them.

Elise Koenemann
New Haven, IN

Jesus, thank You for taking this crimson sin of mine and cleansing it with Your blood. Amen.

Reflect: Close your eyes, make the sign of the cross, and say, “Thank You.”

Read: 1 John 1:5-7 and Revelation 7:14