April 4 - Clean Hands or Clean Heart

Read:  Matthew 15:17-20

We are experiencing things in our world that none of us have ever experienced before.  This invisible enemy that threatens our lives and livelihoods, COVID19. 

There are so many that are working tirelessly on our behalf, gathering data, keeping us informed, producing models to help predict what might happen if we do this or that.  Not to mention those who are caring for the sick and the dying. Ventilators, personal protection equipment, gowns, face masks, hand sanitizer are all in high demand and short supply. 

The number one rule to combat this invisible enemy? Wash your hands often. 

What if we took Jesus words in today’s reading to heart?  There is a greater sickness that plagues our world, our nation, our city, our homes, and our very hearts. It is the sickness of sin. It is not spread by unclean hands, but infects us from the inside out, beginning in our sin sick hearts. It is not a pleasant diagnosis, but we all have it.  And the prognosis?  There is a 100% mortality rate.  No one escapes.

No amount of wealth, knowledge, power, or prestige will keep it from happening. So, what do we do?  Lose heart?  Give up hope?  Fall into despair?  

I believe that God is using this time in our world right now for His purposes.  He is using it to get to the heart of the matter.  It strips away all our outward attempts to cover up our deepest fear. No amount of outward cleansing or social distancing will fix it.  Because it is right in our very hearts.

When King David was confronted with his sinfulness, in Psalm 51 he responded:

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” 

I thank you Jesus, that You willingly came into this sin sick world, seeking after me.  You offer me, and all who trust in You, a clean heart, washed clean with the blood You shed on the cross.  Thank You that I no longer must fear, because You hold me in Your everlasting arms. I am Your Child and live in Your unshakable Kingdom.