BATH TIME
BATH TIME
As our babies grew into toddlers, bath time became almost a nightmare. They wanted to splash about in the bath water, they wanted to make endless bubbles and they wanted to blow on soapsuds. The truth is sometimes it was fun but other times it was quite a challenging experience. Yet regardless of how easy or difficult the bath time experience was, we were always delighted to have baby “squeaky” clean at the end of it all.
It did not matter how much Ewedu (jute leaves soup), milk or hot chocolate had ended up covering their adorable and cute faces and chubby fingers. Once they got into the bath and had a good sponge down, all traces of dirt vanished. Until of course the very next day when they went sticking their fingers into everything again.
This memory brought me to the stark realisation that this is exactly how the “blood of Jesus” works. Except that the “blood of Jesus” is actually more potent. Some children react to certain brands of bath time products making them uncomfortable or itchy afterwards. But the “blood of Jesus” gives a perfect cleanse.
“Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” Hebrews 9:14 NLT
When we live in total disregard for what is pleasing to God, when we do not acknowledge Him or our sinful nature and shun a relationship with Jesus Christ we are at the risk of being disconnected from God. Yet even when that happens, when we err, (because we will) the “blood of Jesus” can cleanse us if we ask to be cleansed. “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. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7 -9 KJV
Once upon a time, there was a man who killed his brother and thought perhaps he could get away with it. But little did he know that his dead brother’s blood had a voice. That man was Cain and the blood of his slain brother, Abel, cried out to God for vengeance. Yet the “blood of Jesus” which is more powerful pleads on our behalf. “You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel” Hebrews 12 : 24 NLT.
The way children are clean after bath time, so are we when we confess our sins to God and He forgives us and cleans us from all past sins. Also exactly the way children quickly soil their clothes and hands and faces at play time the very next instant, so do we likewise often forget that we have just been made clean and we go right back into sin and all manner of wrong doing. And just like we do not bathe our children once and for all, but rather bathe them whenever they have dirtied themselves, so should we also take “our bath time” seriously. We should make a habit of regularly confessing our sins to God (“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 KJV); that we might also be made clean. Now not all children like bath time. As soon as we say “bath time”; we have to start chasing after some toddlers who just have a problem with water.
Please do not be the toddler who runs away at bath time. It will do you no good and you will be left soiled and smelly.
Do “bath time” as and when it is due. Confess your sins and let The “blood of Jesus” make you clean.
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©