To Him who washed us from our sins

"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood … " Revelation 1:5b

The book of Revelation reveals the love of Jesus for a sin-saturated people living on Planet Earth!

The more we study this book, the more this theme is revealed.

Our verse today is part of a greeting. John (the penman of the book of Revelation, and the disciple "whom Jesus loved") writes a message to the seven churches in Asia. The message brings heaven's grace and peace to us, the people of earth.

Verse 3 of Revelation chapter 1 pronounces a blessing on those who read, as well as those who hear the words of this prophecy.

So the message of grace and peace is for all, and comes to us, firstly, from God the Father, then from the Holy Spirit, mentioned here as "the seven Spirits who are before His throne", and lastly, from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead, and the Ruler over the kings of the earth (see verse 5).

Our verse, in its entirety, reads: "To Him who loved us and washed (freed) us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

From being degraded, devastated and polluted by sin, Jesus embraces us, washes us from our sins in His own blood, and raises us to positions of honor and dignity. Stop and think about this.

In gratitude and humility, all we can say is "Amazing grace!"