It was a warm summer evening at the local elementary school graduation. Proud grandpa was getting awfully warm. Shedding his navy blue blazer and loosening his tie, he concentrated on getting the best photograph he could of his granddaughter shaking hands with the principal. After the deed was accomplished he looked about and saw his eight-year-old grandson now wearing his blazer. He was swallowed in it.
Later, outside after the program grandpa looked across the large lawn only to see grandson being chased and tackled to the ground by three little girls. At some point he thought he best take off the blazer and so he handed it to his little sister with instructions to take it to grandpa. Holding it by the sleeve she ran dragging the blazer behind her in the grass. All grandpa could do was hope that his dry cleaners knew how to remove grass stains.
Zechariah 3 tells of Satan accusing the high priest of wearing stained garments. The Lord intervened and provided clean clothes. It is a wonderful story of God’s righteousness being given to us. We have nothing to bring except a life soiled and stained from our mistakes and outright blatant sins—a grass-stained, muddied, navy blue blazer if you will. But if we ask “He is faithful and just to forgive us…and cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” 1 John 1:9.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 29, 2004
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 1224, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org