When I was growing up my mother always asked, “Have you got clean underwear on? Make sure they don’t have holes in them.” I have discovered this was a common question for moms with little boys growing up in the 50’s & 60’s. When I think about it, mother must have accepted a known fact, little boys do things that will get them hurt. Just make sure when you do the family name is not tarnished by bad underwear.

When this thought came to me it also ushered in another thought… my hesitation of bring my dirty laundry to Jesus. After all He is the King of Kings, the Perfect Son of Man, the Lamb without blemish. What would He think?

If you have ever been laying on an exam table in an ER Room, you know what happens. When I broke my leg, they did not hesitate to use their scissors to cut my clothes off. They never looked at my underwear. They didn’t care. And do you know what? Jesus doesn’t either. Just like in the ER, Jesus cares about your heart not what we have on.

My instinct is reflected in Proverbs 20:9, “Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? The truth is, “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6. We also know from Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” And without forgiveness, “For the wages of sin is (eternal) death,” Romans 6:23. In short, we lack the authority & power to clean ourselves.

In 1 Peter 1:18-19 we find our Hope. “For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless [spiritually unproductive] way of life inherited [by tradition] from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 AMP)

John the Baptist made it clear when He saw Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. Let this truth dwell in your heart, “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit willingly offered Himself unblemished [that is, without moral or spiritual imperfection as a sacrifice] to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the ever living God?” Hebrews 9:14 (AMP)

If you are tired of living life with anxiety…fearful of the future…tired, overwhelmed & hopeless, I’ve got Good News. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened” Matthew 11:28 He wants us to bring not only our dirty laundry but our dirty selves. Only He has the Authority & Power to clean us. Joel 2:32 tells us, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This does not mean there will not be problems, challenges, or gut-wrenching heartache. It means we have the power of God’s Presence everywhere we go. From His presence we will experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Isn’t it time you took Jesus for His Promise found in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”?