“WASHED”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Titus 3 (Focus vs. 3–7)
MEMORY VERSE
“You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
BACKGROUND
My friend Bill described Gerard, an acquaintance of his, as being “very far from God for a very long time.” But one day, after Bill met with Gerard and explained to him how God’s love has provided the way for us to be saved, Gerard became a believer in Jesus.
Through tears, he repented of his sin and gave his life to Christ. Afterward, Bill asked Gerard how he felt. Wiping away tears, he answered simply, “Washed.”
What an amazing response! That’s precisely the essence of salvation made possible through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross.
In 1 Corinthians 6, after Paul gives examples of how disobedience against God leads to separation from Him, he says:
“That is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 11). “Washed,” “sanctified,” “justified”—words that point to believers being forgiven and made right with Him.
Titus 3:4–5 tells us more about this miraculous thing called salvation. “God our Savior . . . saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth.” Our sin keeps us from God, but through faith in Jesus, sin’s penalty is washed away. We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), gain access to our heavenly Father (Ephesians 2:18), and are made clean (1 John 1:7).
He alone provides what we need to be washed.
By: Dave Branon
INSIGHT
Paul’s reference to spiritual rebirth in Titus 3:5 echoes what John described in his gospel (John 1:12; 3:1–21). In John 3, we read of a religious leader who is dumbfounded with Jesus’ emphasis on the need to be born again.
Initially, Nicodemus, who’d come to Jesus under the cover of darkness, finds the idea laughable. Later, he takes the risk of speaking a word on behalf of Jesus (7:47–52). And the last time we see him, he’s helping another secret believer care for Jesus’ body (19:38–42).
Jesus said there’s something real and mysterious about being born from above or “born again” (3:3).
By: Mart DeHaan
APPLICATION
Why is it vital for you to be washed and sanctified by Jesus? What has it meant or what will it mean for you to put your faith in Him?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
It’s unfortunate the “rite” of baptism in the Church has evolved into another of the rituals in the Church. Well understood, our baptism is the seal on our spiritual “WASH” –
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“He alone provides what we need to be washed.”
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, I know I’ve sinned against You. And I realize that the penalty for my sin is separation from You. Thank You for the salvation You’ve made possible and for drawing me close to You forever.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL
“NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD”
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW – KNOWING JESUS THROUGH THE LENS OF MATTHEW
*A GREAT WAY TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF THIS YEAR TO READ WHOLE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE AND NOT JUST VERSES AND/OR CHAPTERS
PR WILL LOVE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE TAKEN ON THIS CHALLENGE
For my pardon this I see:
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this my plea:
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow…
Nothing can for sin atone: