In our world today every conversation seems to contain something related to the virus COVID-19. It controls the media, social media, and personal conversations. One of the ways that we have been told to help slow down the spread of the virus is by washing our hands. This should be a rule that is not difficult to keep. After all, we should wash our hands several times each day simply because of any germs we come in contact with. We also wash our hands to remove dirt or any other foreign matter on our hands. It is just a common thing to do. This act of washing hands caused me to think of all the ceremonial washing in the Old Testament.
God has always been concerned about our cleanliness. While many of the ceremonies dealt with washing the physical body, it was always symbolic of how we are to present ourselves to Him spiritually. In Exodus 30:19-20, God instructed Aaron and all the other priests to wash and make sure they were clean before they came into His presence. In the courtyard of the Tabernacle was a laver filled with water. This is where the priests were to wash their hands and feet. This was not just to clean away the dirt, but it was a symbolic washing of their sins. Before they could come before God and serve in the Tabernacle, they must be clean physically and spiritually. If they were not clean, the punishment was death!
Exodus 30:19-20 “For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:”
When we wash our hands, we are trying to remove any impurities that could make us sick. While our washing is only physical, we can still see the application spiritually. God is holy and no sin, no impurities can enter Heaven. We can physically wash all day long, but until we trust in Jesus, God’s Son, and allow Him to wash away our sins, we cannot come into God’s presence.
I John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
When the priest would come to wash and make themselves clean, it had to be done daily. The water in the Laver was not sufficient to keep them clean, only to wash away what was present. However, the blood of Jesus was enough to satisfy a holy God once and for all time. When we seek forgiveness of our sins by repentance and acceptance of Jesus’ payment for our sins by the shedding of His blood, we can stand before God white as snow. He no longer sees our dirt and filth. He sees the covering of our sins by His Son’s blood.
What if we do sin? Since our sin nature is still within us after salvation, we will still struggle with temptations to sin. Each of us will sin either by omission or commission. However, God in His great wisdom made provision for us. We have an advocate with the Father. Jesus is our advocate and will plead our case before the Father.
I John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
While we may be terrified of the germs from the COVID virus, we can rest assured that we have no need to fear the results of sin. If our sins have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, it is sufficient to cleanse us and keep us clean. The virus may take our physical life, but it can’t touch our eternal life if we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
In the meantime, keep washing your hands and staying safe. God has a purpose for each of us through this pandemic. We are to be the light and salt of this world. While many are fearful and anxious, we can offer them hope. We can be the answer to their fear of death. As long as God leaves us here, we are to glorify Him and reach others for Him. We are His ambassadors.
II Corinthians 5:19-20 “Therefore, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
