In any other context, it’s an image that would perhaps turn our stomach a bit. Apart from a “faith understanding” of the dynamics of the cross, it’s a thought we would naturally turn away from, rather than embrace. When I think about getting my clothes clean, it’s the last “detergent” I would normally think of using. But this morning, reading the latter portion of Revelation 7, it’s an image . . . a thought . . . a reality . . . that captivates me afresh . . . the fact that, just like those saints who will come out of the great tribulation, I’m wearing a garment laundered by the Lamb . . .

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ . . . . Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘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 7:9-10, 13-14)

Robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Noodle on it. At first, not really an inviting image . . . blood soaked apparel. Certainly not intuitive from a natural perspective that something washed in blood can ever become white . . . clothing stained with blood is most often thrown away . . . beyond reclaiming.

But the real stain on the garments of men is the discoloration of sin . . . the telltale spots of man’s determination to walk in a way that seems right to himself . . . neglecting and even despising the way of their Creator. Sin becomes a death-inducing blemish on the clothing of men’s souls . . . a mould that spreads throughout every aspect . . . such that even the best of works that a man can do become as filthy rags.

“What can wash away my sin?  What can make me whole again?  Nothing!  Nothing . . . but the blood of Jesus!”

The blood of the Lamb . . . the blood of Jesus . . . the blood shed on Calvary’s cross some 2,000 years ago. It is sufficient to wash away the dirt accumulated through years of rebellion . . . it is the cleansing agent that is capable of removing the nastiest of stains . . . it restores filthy rags and produces white robes . . . coverings that are fit for wearing before the throne of God . . . “Sunday best” mete for an audience with the King of Kings . . . apparel fit for attending a royal wedding — the marriage supper of the Lamb . . . pure choir garments that inspire those who wear them to sing at the top of their lungs of the wonders of their salvation and the glories of their God.

” . . . the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin . . . if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 7b, 9)

Oh, to be laundered by the Lamb . . .