Snow-Covered: A Biblical Application

​After many snowfalls, we have three feet of snow (more in the drifts) on the ground! This amount of snow on the roofs can cause significant damage to our buildings. Some of our neighbors in the community have already lost roofs to outbuildings. The Massey and Morrison families spent this past Saturday shoveling off roofs that posed problems and salted the over-sized icicles that hung off the roofs. We are so thankful for our donors, whose sacrificial gifts have supplied us with the tools necessary to handle the extra snow that God has given to us this winter!

Our skid-steer is a great tool to move snowbanks further back, giving the plow more areas to move snow. Although not pictured, our brand new plow truck has been a great blessing. Maintaining the property is an essential element of our gospel work! Thank you for partnering with us to share the precious news of the Gospel with these teens.
It causes a lot of work, but we are thankful for the snow. Much like the rainbow that gives us a reminder of God's promise not to flood the earth again, the snow on the ground gives us a constant reminder of three elements of the Gospel message that we have been called to share with our students.

---

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

1. The blemished are in need of snow-white cleansing.

​As shown above, Psalm 51:7 presents us with the object lesson of snow-white cleansing that we are to consider. The Psalmist, King David, wrote these words after he was confronted with his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent sins of his attempt to cover up his transgressions. He confesses that his sin is ever before him and against. This is the man that God sought after and chose (1 Samuel 13:14). David was the man after God’s own heart. David knew his sin, the relational carnage it caused, and his desperate need for cleansing. In verses 1-2 of this same passage, David begs God for this thorough cleansing. Most of us are probably familiar with OxiClean, one of the leading stain-fighting detergents. OxiClean boasts of the ability to “get the tough stains out.” Although this may be true of stains and spills on earthly garments, there is no earthly cleansing agent that can deal with the wretchedness of our sin. There is no good deed that can neutralize our sinfulness. Titus 3:5-6 declares, “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” David understood that he needed the snow-white cleansing that is only available through the abundant mercy of God. His request for cleansing in verses 1-2 was anchored in the mercy and steadfast love of God. In the richness of God’s mercy, He has made us alive in Christ. Christ became our peace and reconciled us to God by His blood on the cross
(Ephesians 2).

2. The blood of Christ is the agent of snow-white cleansing.

Ephesians 5:8b provides a remarkable contrast, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord...” How does this happen? How do we get from being stuck in the miry bog to having our feet secure on the solid rock? The cleansing agent that is capable of such a feat is the blood of Christ! Hebrews tells us that without the shedding of blood (as demonstrated by the law), there can be no forgiveness of sin. 1 John 5:7b assures us that, “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” Christ greatly desires us to be in a right standing before our Holy God, and the only way that this is possible is through His substitutionary death on the cross. Because of this ultimate sacrifice, Christ became our righteousness. Ephesians 5:25b-27 states, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Christ has made snow-white cleansing possible; we must accept its work on our life – we must place our faith in Christ and accept His salvation! (Acts 16:31)

3. The brilliancy of God’s glory is reflected in our snow-white cleansing.

When the sun is shining on a snow-covered lawn, you have to carefully guard your eyes as you walk outside. The brilliancy of the sun’s light is magnified by the whiteness of the snow. It is as if the sun is literally surrounding you. That is such a great picture of the glory of God! When our lives have been washed by the blood of Christ to be snow-white, we are to walk as children of light! Our lives should reflect the radiance of God’s glory. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” David also realized that once he was restored, he would be able to teach transgressors the ways of God and that other sinners will return to God. As children of light called to reflect the brilliancy of God’s glory, let us then take the admonition from Ephesians 5:15 to heart, “Look carefully then how you walk…”

Every time we may be tempted to complain about shoveling the mountains of snow, let us remind ourselves of the biblical picture of thorough cleansing that is offered through the blood of Jesus Christ on our behalf. It is this snow-white cleansing that David sought and the same cleansing that each of us need so desperately. Please pray for us as we strive to teach the cleansing power of Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice on the cross to our students!

Ben Barrick

Teacher, Administrative Assistant