Lenten Devotions: March 16, 2014

March 16, 2014                      John 13:1-17

Second Sunday in Lent            Psalm 51:7-12

                                               

 

Psalm 51 was written by David after he had been with Bathsheba.  Here, David refers to the spiritual washing required for his cleansing. He makes a deliberate request of God to wash Him, knowing that only the cleansing power of Almighty God can make him clean and pure.  And though our sins have covered us in filth and stain, the washing power of God makes us whiter than snow.

 “Cleanse me with hyssop...” This is the same herb that was used by the Jews during Passover that was dipped in the blood of the sacrificial lamb, representing the blood of the future Christ.  This ritual protected the Jews from the deadly plague wrought by God against Egypt that night.  Hyssop was used to ceremoniously cleanse and protect God’s people during Passover and David asks God for it here.

 

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  With the word “create” David acknowledges that we are indebted entirely to the grace of God, our creator, for both for our first regeneration, and, in the event of our falling, for our subsequent restoration.

 

 

Lynn Byrnes