Wash Day

We are Unclean y’all!  (I’m saying this in my best Reece Witherspoon accent).  And, ain’t no one unclean getting into Heaven, no matter how stylish your clothes, how well you perform, what your pay check is, whether you say you care or not, or whether you’ve buried it so deep you don’t even know the truth for yourself anymore as to your condition.

We all must let Jesus wash us.  We gotta open up the closets, and air out the musty basement.  We gotta let him see the, as my dad called it, the toe jam between the toes.  Yes, even the disciples were uncomfortable to have Jesus wash their feet, but guess what, He said if you don’t let me wash you you will have no part with me in the Kingdom of Heaven.  He will not shame us, he loves us, it’s His joy to clean us.  I can remember the joy of bathtime with my own kids.  I also remember that it wasn’t all fun and games.  Lord, Jack screamed and hollered the whole time with his first bath as a baby.  Sometimes the water might be too hot or not warm enough, or the shampoo ran down into your eyes,  but it was necessary.  Baths definitely were no fun while I was in Haiti.  There was no running water and a bath was more akin to a cold glass of water poured down over your head.   But, everyone was so glad I bathed despite the discomfort.

Let Jesus wash you.  Being in His presence is way worth the sting of the lye soap, the abrasions of the wash board,  and the jarring of the spin cycle.

Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.  2 Kings 5:10 AMPC

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.                Psalm 46:4 AMPC

THEN HE showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations. [Gen. 2:9.] Revelation 22:1-2 AMPC

[The souls of those] who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God’s patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few [people], actually eight in number, were saved through water. [Gen. 6-8.] And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 3:20-21 AMPC

Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. [Ezek. 36:25-27.] What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above).                John 3:5-7 AMPC

Iniquities and much varied guilt prevail against me; [yet] as for our transgressions, You forgive and purge them away [make atonement for them and cover them out of Your sight]! You visit the earth and saturate it with water; You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide them with grain when You have so prepared the earth.  Psalm 65:3, 9 AMPC

Look upon Zion, the city of our set feasts and solemnities! Your eyes shall see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, a tent that shall not be taken down; not one of its stakes shall ever be pulled up, neither shall any of its cords be broken. But there the Lord will be for us in majesty and splendor a place of broad rivers and streams, where no oar-propelled boat can go, and no mighty and stately ship can pass. For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us. [Isa. 2:3-4; 11:4; 32:1; James 4:12.]  Isaiah 33:20-22 AMPC

And they thirsted not when He led them through the deserts; He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; He split the rock also, and the waters gushed out.  Isaiah 48:21 AMPC

Before [Zion] travailed, she gave birth; before her pain came upon her, she was delivered of a male child. For thus says the Lord: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; then you will be nursed, you will be carried on her hip and trotted [lovingly bounced up and down] on her [God’s maternal] knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. For as the new heavens and the new earth which I make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.  Isaiah 66:7, 12-13, 22 AMPC

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? [Deut. 10:12, 13.] The voice of the Lord calls to the city [Jerusalem]–and it is sound wisdom to hear and fear Your name–Hear (heed) the rod and Him Who has appointed it.               Micah 6:8-9 AMPC

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. Thus says the Lord, Who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters,                        Isaiah 43:2, 16 AMPC

Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.  John 7:37-38 AMPC