Knowing the Dirt My Sin – Needing the Cleansing of Jesus!

On Monday, March 16, I saw some men on a lift washing windows for a multi-story apartment. I’m glad that was not me up there. In Alaska, when the winter days grow short, and the sun is low on the horizon, light shines directly on our south facing windows. The dirt on our windows seems to really stick out. Yet, Alaskan winter is not a time to tackle this project. When there is snow on the ground the cold air would freeze water to wash the outside window, and cause the streaking of dirt and ice across the windows. That mess would be worse than the dirt already present. Nevertheless, it bothers me to see those dirty windows, sort of. When I can see the dirt, I would like to do something about it. Yet, somehow I forget that dirt in the summer.

Is there ‘dirt’ in your life which you would like to wash away? I’m not just talking about greasy or dirty hands, or muddy feet. How about the harsh words spoken to a family member? How about unkept promises to family or friends? What about words spoken behind someone’s back? Have you, or I. hurt others with violence, with sexual misdeeds, or actions of greed? If so, do you regret those actions? Would you like to wash away the lack of love, and the damage you caused?

In addition to how we treat others, how about our relationship with our Lord? If you believe that God created and rules over all things, do you regret, or even feel inner pain, over actions of disobedience and rebellion? We are called to have no other gods before the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Exodus 20, first commandment.) Nevertheless, are there times when you put your desires over God’s commands? Do you wonder about God’s Word? “He can’t mean that, can He?” Have you indeed put other things before God’s desires for your life?

We are called not to “take the name of the Lord in vain.” (Second Commandment - Exodus 20:7) Our words are supposed to praise and worship the Triune God. Yet, have you made a mistake and uttered coarse words in anger? Have you cursed another person using the name of the Lord? Have you simply spoken God’s name carelessly, like He doesn’t really matter? Do others know you as “a child of God,” yet your actions dishonor Him and give a bad witness? Consider, the One whose name we use carelessly has created us in love and wonder. He cares for us daily. He sent His Son. Yet WE often act with our words like He is unimportant?

And God teaches us about Himself, “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Third Commandment Exodus 20:11) That is why God commands, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) Nevertheless, how often have you chosen not to attend worship? How often have you ignored God’s call? Does worshiping the Lord of the universe seem like an option I can take or I can leave? If so, then WHO really is acting like God?

When I see the dirty windows, I know they need cleaning. When I look at my life, and realize my many failings, I realize I need cleansing. However, seeing the dirt first does help. Sinning is unhealthy and hurts my relationship with God and others. Yet knowing my sin, and confessing that sin, seeking God’s help and grace, is healthy.

February 18 is Ash Wednesday for 2026. On this day Christians of many traditions will attend worship and receive a cross of ashes on their forehead as a symbol of the dirt in our lives. We are not proud of our sin. We are ashamed and sorry for our misdeeds. But acknowledging the evil in our lives is necessary before cleansing. There is dirt in our lives, even if it is hard to admit. We need the cleansing which only God can do.

And, our Lord does act in grace and mercy to forgive us, for the sake of Jesus. Consider Psalm 103:12. “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” The forgiveness of God removes our sin! Listen also to our Lord’s promise to Isaiah, who considered himself as “a man of unclean lips.” "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) There IS a cleansing for the dirt of our sin. Meditate on God’s promise to John in the book of Revelation. “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14) Jesus cleanses us from the dirt of our sin by the blood, by the suffering and death, of Jesus, THE Lamb of God!

Our sin is real. The evil of rebellion against our Creator shames us. Our lack of love for one another betrays God’s purpose for our lives as His children. But God offers cleansing by His forgiveness, through His love and compassion, in the blood of Jesus. His cleansing gives us a new start. Because God forgives, we do not need to deny our sin. Because God forgives, we can put on the ash of confession and seek God’s forgiveness, and seek to live for the one who saves us. During the season of Lent we willingly admit our failures, and we grow in God’s grace in Jesus.

Is there something in your life of which you are ashamed? Do you know the truth of failure and rebellion and sin against our Lord from your own experience? Perhaps you will have an opportunity to confess your sinfulness with the imposition of ashes on your forehead this Wednesday. Perhaps Lent can help you again to confess your sin and turn to God’s grace. Because we have a Savior, we do not have to hide our sin. We can confess the dirt in our lives and let Jesus cleanse us.