Are You Washed In The Blood?

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus
Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

This particular hymn is a “red-back” hymnal favorite of mine because of the words and the tune of this old classic.  For those of us that are Christians, we understand this concept of being “washed in the blood,” but for a non-believer or for someone that has never heard the Gospel message, what an unusual concept this must be.  How can something be washed in blood and be made clean?  I would point that person to certain scriptures like “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin“, point to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, and talk about how Jesus was that sacrificial lamb for us.  I might even use a hymn like “Whiter than Snow” to explain the concept.  In this hymn, the author does a good job of asking essentially the same question several different ways.  That question being “Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ?” or more simplistically “Are you saved?”  The questions in the hymn probably do require some familiarity with Christianity, however, the lack of someone’s familiarity should not prohibit us from asking that same fundamental question.  I like how the last verse ends the hymn.  It contains no questions, but tells the basics of the Gospel message – your sins can be forgiven and you can be washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

There are a couple of references to stories in Scripture that are worth spending a little time on:

• Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? – The two words that jump out at me in this phrase are “This hour.”  Also defined as “right now.”  We leave in a “Now or Later” society.  In many ways, we want instant gratification – a high-speed internet response – to everything in our life.  But we also want to procrastinate certain things, even important things, until later.  In the Bible, Joshua requires a decision from the children of Israel – “Choose you this day whom you will serve.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  The people had to make a choice.  This was not the time for delay, but for decision. 

• When the Bridegroom cometh – In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable referred to commonly as the Parable of the Ten Virgins.  The story is that there were 5 foolish and 5 wise virgins who had lamps and oil for the lamps.  Those that were wise made preparations and had plenty of oil for their lamps, and those that weren’t prepared, did not.  The five foolish ones begged the wise ones to share their oil, but the wise ones would not share.  While the foolish ones were out trying to buy oil for their lamps, the Bridegroom arrived and the 5 that were foolish were not allowed into the Wedding Banquet.  The Bridgegroom had a harsh word for the 5 foolish virgins at the end of the parable when they were knocking at the door when he said “I tell you the truth.  I do not know you.”  Jesus then gives a warning that applies to all of us  when He says “Therefore, keep watch for you do not know the day or the hour.”   This is an important reminder that we aren’t promised tomorrow and that there is a time where the Lord is coming back.  The question is “Are you ready?”

How much do you weigh?  How old are you?  Are you pregnant?  I’m pretty confident that your initial reaction was either “Wow!  Those are pretty personal questions” or “That’s none of your business!!”   Our parents have taught us that there are just some things “polite” people don’t ask.  Unfortunately, I think this “politeness” has become an excuse for not asking people about their spiritual condition.  We don’t want to hurt any feelings or make people feel uncomfortable so we avoid asking about their salvation.  I am speaking as much to myself as anyone.  Now, I am not a proponent of screaming on the street corner to people “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  But, I do know that we need to have a burden for people, and we do need to find out if they “Are washed in the blood.”  Maybe the phraseology in this old hymn is not necessarily the language to use, but it is our job to spread the Gospel to a world that is dying.  So I will end this thought for the week with a few more personal questions – “Have you told others about Jesus?”  “Is there someone you know that doesn’t know the Lord?”   “Is your light shining so brightly that others will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven?”