Tony Elder, Author/Pastor

We are covered. If you live in parts of the South this time of year, you know what I am talking about. For several weeks, everything gets covered by a coating of pine pollen. Anything exposed to the outdoors ends up with a yellowish tint. The powdery substance can even make its way inside our homes as it is tracked in on shoes, blows through open doors, or finds its way into crevices around windows. If God had so chosen. I think He could have included pine pollen as one of the plagues on Egypt. It might not have been as effective as frogs or flies swarming everywhere, but it can certainly be irritating at times. You can feel it on your skin, can get it in your eyes, and can even taste it in your mouth occasionally.

We may not be grateful for the pine pollen that covers everything, but this season leading up to Easter also reminds us of another covering for which we should be thankful. The blood of Christ covers all our sins. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity” (Psalm 32:1-2). What does it mean that our sins are covered? It suggests that our sins are hidden, that they are forgiven, and that they are no longer held against us. How does that happen? How can a just God forget about our sins? It is only due to what Jesus did for us in going to the cross and dying there as the sacrifice for our sins. The blood He shed through giving His life for us is the only thing that can sufficiently remedy our wrongdoing in the sight of a holy God. It is only through faith in Him that we can experience forgiveness and cleansing. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7).

And much like nothing left outdoors escapes being touched by the pine pollen, there is no sin that cannot be covered by the blood of Jesus. No matter what we may have done, no matter how awful the deed, the power of Christ’s sacrifice is enough to take care of it. There are actions we may have taken in the past which we deeply regret. We were guilty of hurting others and harming ourselves. Other people may have a hard time forgiving us. Even more, we may find it difficult to forgive ourselves. Nevertheless, there is forgiveness with the Lord. If we will repent of our sin and put our trust in Jesus, His blood can cover and cleanse whatever our transgression may have been. He can set us free from the guilt and condemnation. We can have peace with God and know that our hearts are right with Him.

Is there some wrongdoing from your past which is still haunting you? We may not be able to do anything about certain consequences that we may have to live with. However, something can be done about the guilt, and Jesus has already done it. That sin is covered. If you have truly repented and put your trust in Jesus, you are forgiven. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). If God has forgiven you, isn’t it time to forgive yourself?

We look forward to the rain showers this time of year that cleanse the air of that persistent pollen. Similarly, let’s receive the refreshing, cleansing power of God to take away our guilt and condemnation through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin. Let’s be grateful that His blood is still able to cover our sin today.