What Can Wash Away My Sin?

Robert Lowry was an 19th century hymnist who wrote a song that is still popular and sung today in churches. It was based on the question “What can wash away my sin?”

Lowry doesn’t leave us in doubt as he answers the question in the first stanza of the hymn.

What can wash away my sin
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Mark Nichols Posey on his facebook page, Pulpit Preview used this question as a springboard to a “sermon starter” with this title.

Posey begins with Hebrews 10:4 as a text that reminds that the Old Testament sacrifices could not wash away sins. “For is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”

He then offers these 10 words with the accompanying passages that speak to the unique nature of Jesus’ blood and how it can wash away sins.

1. Jesus’ blood is PRECIOUS (1 Pet. 1:19).
“Precious denotes value.” Jesus’ blood is more valuable than any other possession in the world.

2. Jesus’ blood is PURCHASING (Ax. 20:28).
Jesus “purchased” the church with his blood. That makes it valuable as well. Never demean that which was bought it such a high price.

3. Jesus’ blood is REDEEMING (Eph. 1:7: Heb. 9:22).
By God’s grace He has redeemed us “through his blood” and thus provided “the forgiveness of sins.” Like a slave whose freedom has been paid for by a wealthy donor, we’ve been bought and brought into a relationship with Jesus.

4. Jesus’ blood is CONFIRMING (Matt. 26:28).
The New Covenant has been sealed and confirmed by Jesus’ blood.

5. Jesus’ blood is JUSTIFYING (Rom. 5:9; Heb. 13:121).
Jesus took our place. His blood appeased God of our sins.

6. Jesus’ blood is CLEANSING (1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5).
Our sins are washed and cleansed by Jesus’ blood. This is why Saul of Tarsus was told to “arise and be baptized and, wash away your sins” (Ax. 22:16)

7. Jesus’ blood is CLOSENESS (Eph. 2:12-13; Heb. 10:19,22).
We are no more strangers, on the outside looking in. While sin separates us from God, Jesus’ blood brings us near to Him and in fellowship with Him.

8. Jesus’ blood is COMMUNING (1 Cor. 10:16).
Communion reminds us of how wonderful it is to be in fellowship with God. To be a partaker and a partner with Him. Remember that when you drink the fruit of the vine and commune with Him at the Lord’s Supper.

9. Jesus’ blood is VICTORIOUS (Rev. 12:11).
We can be “overcomers” and conquerors through Jesus’ blood. Since He has won the victory over death, sin and the Devil, we can too through His blood.

10. Jesus’ blood is PEACEMAKING (Col. 1:20).
Peace with God, peace with our fellow man and inner peace can be obtained through the blood of Jesus.

Finally, in addition to Mark’s points, I would ask, “Who enjoys these privileges and prerogatives?”

Everyone who’s washed by the blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5) in compliance with the Gospel’s call. Everyone. Jew. Gentile. Black. White. Asian. Indian. And Hispanic.

Now, think about this. When it comes to human blood, you can’t distinguish between race or ethnicity. The Bible affirms, “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth” (Ax. 17:26). If you get a blood transfusion, you don’t know whose blood you received. It’s all human blood.

Remember this when you come to communion on Sunday. “The blood of the cross,” binds brethren together of all races, with the same blood, as we commune with Christ at the Supper. Our skin color makes no difference. Not to Him. And it shouldn’t to us.

Oh, we come with different backgrounds, customs, educational levels, experiences, political beliefs, and socio-economic positions. But we’re together. One in Him. And enjoy a commonality in Christ of spiritual blessings. We are united by blood.

Indeed, Robert Lowry was right when he answered the question, “What can wash away my sin?”

“O precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman