Salvation Ain't Pretty!

Have you ever come across a story from the Bible that you found just repulsive? Have you ever read anything in the Bible that made you cringe? I know I have. There are a number of accounts in the Bible that describe gruesome, frightening, or even disgusting situations. If you need a few examples check out the prophet with dirty underwear in Jeremiah 13:1-11 or the man having a tent peg driven through his temple in Judges 4:14-24.

These are some sickening examples of bizarre stories in the Bible but why would God include such gut-wrenching events in his Word? It is because these accounts show God’s pattern for our salvation—and salvation ain’t pretty. Think about that for a moment. What is our salvation? Our salvation is a payment for all of our sins. That means salvation needs to pay for all the horrifying things people do in our world. Our salvation needs to make up for murder, war, drug addiction, stealing, hate, lust, and all other sins.

With all of the terrible sins in the world our salvation had to be bought at a huge cost (and it was). It cost the life of Jesus. Our salvation was won on the cross. The cross was a Roman method of execution. Death is never pretty and crucifixion is one of the most horrific ways to be put to death. Jesus was whipped, beaten, spit on, and then he was hung on a cross to die of exposure, dehydration, and starvation. But while this is a gruesome scene it accomplishes so much. It accomplishes our salvation—our forgiveness.

When He instituted the Lord’s Supper Jesus says this describing his upcoming sacrifice: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28). The writer of Hebrews goes on to explain that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22). The price of salvation is the shedding of blood. This is God’s plan and he has shown that throughout the entirety of his Word. The sacrifices of the Old Testament reflect the pattern found in the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The war and brutal bloodshed of the conquest and period of the judges shows the cost of sacrifice for the salvation of God’s people. And the illustration of Jeremiah wearing a soiled pair of underwear shows God’s relationship to us. Despite our “dirty” sinfulness he chose to pay the price and claim us as his own.

The love of God for you is deep and the price he paid to claim you was great. Our salvation is glorious in that it results in an eternal life spent it heaven surrounded by the love of God, but please remember the lengths God has gone to in order to secure that salvation. He willingly subjected himself to torture and died a grizzly death to win our forgiveness. That is how much he loves us. While salvation has glorious results the way it is accomplished sure isn’t pretty.

Thanks be to God for suffering such an un-pretty punishment for our forgiveness!