2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV)
One of my favorite movies is The Shawshank Redemption. It is based on the Stephen King novella. The premise of the story is of a man, Andy Dufresne, who was wrongfully convicted of his wife’s murder. As he settles into his new found life behind bars, he struggles with proving his innocence, maintaining his safety, preserving some sanity, developing relationships and ultimately planning his escape.
There are many themes and lessons to be learned. In the most cathartic moment in the movie, Andy, after making his harrowing escape by crawling several hundred yards through a sewer pipe that led to the outside of the prison walls, stands in the pouring rain, removing his shirt, and lets the storm wash him clean. The narrator of the movie is Andy’s friend, Red. His summation of this escape, as blunt as it is, really rings true to life.
“Andy Dufresne, who crawled through a river of $&!# and came out clean on the other side”
Many of us have walls built around us or enemies we don’t know how to deal with. We struggle with demons in our heads and in our hearts. We feel unsafe or unwell. We have strained relationships. There seems to be no escape from the predicaments. Sometimes, it seems, we have to crawl through some sewer pipes before we can make it to where we want to be.
But there is hope. There is God. There is the saving grace of Christ Jesus. Paul tells us how to do this in our verse today. Repent. Turn away from sin. Turn towards God. This allows us to be awash in the gift of salvation from the Cross.
Questions for Reflection:
- What things are you struggling with that seem to imprison you?
- What things can you do to let God wash you clean? Spend time in his word? Pray? Volunteer? Engage in a small group?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know all our dirt. The struggles we have. The sins we carry. You also know what we need to be washed clean. Guide us to that cleansing grace your Son provided on the cross. Amen
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