From the time God slew animals and used their pelts to clothe the nakedness of Adam and Eve, a blood sacrifice has been required to atone for sin. But God knew that blood from animals sacrificed on the altars of man provided only temporary cleansing of sin, and the kind of cleansing man needed would cost Him His only Son. But I believe that God had this sacrifice in mind when He gave this message to His prophet Isaiah to share with his sinful people. God said,
“Come now, let us reason together: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1: 18
Many years later God provided that sacrifice through His Son, Jesus Christ, and when His blood is applied to the heart of the vilest sinner, it gives that one eternal cleansing. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
No human has the ability to love as sacrificially and perfectly our Heavenly Father, but in His parable about the Prodigal Son, Jesus allows an earthly father to represent the love of the heavenly Father. And I believe a devoted parent’s love for his/her children is nearest to that of God’s love for His earthly children.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as You intended, we love our adult children, but help us realize they must make their own decisions.
