Whiter Than Snow: Purifying Grace

Sunday we begin a new series entitled “Whiter Than Snow.” The theme comes from Isaiah 1:18, where speaking for God, Isaiah says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become white as wool.”

The thrust of the passage is God’s faithfulness to his people, providing for their cleansing through the Servant that he would send (Isaiah 42) to establish righteousness on the earth. God’s people thought they knew what that righteous kingdom would look like, but then Jesus showed up and violated their notions of righteousness and purity by embracing sinners, the very people who contaminated their purity.

Like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, the church can often create a culture of purity that excludes the very people Jesus came to purify. How does the incarnation of Christ reshape our notions of God’s righteous kingdom? How does his ministry reshape the mission of the church as we pursue “holiness in the fear of God”? (2 Cor. 7:1)

Advent Readings For This Week

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 - Isaiah 1:16-20, What does God want from his people? What is God going to provide for his people?

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 - Revelation 19:6-8, What does the bride wear? What are those garments? Where do we get those pure garments?

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 - Titus 2:11-14, What did Jesus give himself to redeem? What would he do for those he redeemed?   

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5 - 1 John 1:8-10, How are we made pure? Who makes us pure?

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 - Psalm 51:7-12, What does David pray for God to do with his sin? Who is it that David believed could cleanse him?

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - Romans 3:23-25a, Who needs to be cleansed by God? Who did God offer as a sacrifice for our sins?