Years ago, when Owen wore white business shirts to work, a blue pen was inadvertently left in the pocket and made its way through the laundry with all the whites. I remember the efforts I went to, to clean the blue stains out of the clothes that were contaminated by the blue ink. It took heavy duty stain remover and several wash cycles to remove. It was frustrating how pervasive that blue ink was!

One of this Sunday’s LENT readings is from Psalm 51:1-12. It begins with David’s cry for God’s mercy: “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” David had committed some terrible sins, adultery and murder to name a few. While comparatively we think we are decent people, the reality is that we have not escaped the stain of sin. In the message last Sunday, we read of the stark reminder of Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – sin has contaminated our lives, the stain of it is dark and pervasive. However, this terrible statement is closely followed in verse 24 by the merciful message of God’s gracious intervention through the death and resurrection of Christ. We are justified freely, declared righteous, all the charges and judgements against us have been dealt with. Our sinful stains are washed sparklingly clean as we reach out to receive this gift of mercy.

David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is one to be echoed by us all:

Cleanse me …. and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow….

 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Blessings,

Sarah

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash