There are many sanitizers in the market. Advertisements claim that their products could kill up to ninety-five percent of germs, bacteria and virus. Covid 19 pandemic has made all people to wash hands many times. If human sanitizers could not clean physical world organisms, how can any of human solution wash a person of sins? John Wesley preached in 1778 that cleanliness is next to godliness.
1) Pure heart: Clean hands is combined with pure heart provide ability to enter God’s presence. Asaph laments in God’s presence that in vain he has washed his hands in innocence, while wicked flourish. (Psalms 73:13)
2) Proclaiming thanks: Washing hands also expresses thanks. “I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.” (Psalms 26:7)
3) Preparing for Communion: Nation of Israel was commanded to prepare for communion with God by washing and consecrating themselves before sacred ceremonies. (Exodus 19:10,14 and I Samuel 16:5) Priest had to purify themselves to be prepared to carry the vessels of the Lord. (Isaiah 52:11)
4) Pontius Pilate arrogance: We cannot cleanse our consciences, hands and hearts ourselves. Pontius Pilate either was arrogant or superstitious to wash away guilt of crucifying Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike David who washed his hands in innocence: Pontius Pilate washing was of irresponsibility, cheap stunt, mockery of Jewish ritual and lack of conviction.
5) Purified with blood: “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22) All the soaps, sanitizers, sacred rivers, sacred ponds, secret rituals cannot wash the stain of sin to give forgiveness.
Have I been washed in His blood?