The prophet Isaiah uses a vivid metaphor to describe the stark contrast between our sin and God’s forgiveness. He says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). What does this poetic imagery teach us about the nature of sin and the power of God’s grace?
The Color of Sin
When Isaiah describes sins as “scarlet,” he is picking a color associated with blood, sacrifice, and immorality. Scarlet fabric was used in the Tabernacle and Temple for solemn ceremonies (Exodus 25:4), as a reminder of the sacrificial blood required to atone for sin. The prophet Jeremiah lamented that though we wash ourselves with lye, our iniquity leaves “stains before me that are as dark as scarlet” (Jeremiah 2:22). The author of Hebrews explains that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). The color scarlet vividly represents the stain of our transgression before a holy God.
Isaiah also links scarlet with lavish clothes worn by the nobility, along with expensive dyes like crimson (Isaiah 1:18). It was associated with luxury, decadence, and even sexual immorality, as seen in the compromised faith of God’s people who had adopted the orgiastic worship practices of pagans. The prophet Nahum pronounced coming judgment on Nineveh, saying, “I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and will lift up your skirts over your face; and I will make nations look at your nakedness and kingdoms at your shame. I will throw filth at you and treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle” (Nahum 3:5-6). The mention of scarlet-colored skirts and nakedness implies that Nineveh’s unrestrained sin and idolatry had led to sexual impurity as part of their religious rituals. So Isaiah’s scarlet metaphor points to the “luxury and decadence of sin” that leads to moral corruption.
The Cleansing Blood
How can scarlet sins be made “white as snow”? Only through the powerful cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. We often sing about being washed in the blood of the Lamb, but what does that really mean? Let’s explore a few key truths:
1) Christ’s blood signifies His sacrificial death on our behalf. Blood represents His life poured out to atone for our sins (Mark 14:24, Hebrews 9:14). Isaiah 53:5 declares, “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities…and by his wounds we are healed.”
2) His blood cleanses us from the guilt of sin. The apostle John wrote, “The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It removes the crimson stain of transgression, providing purification and redemption.
3) His blood brings justification and reconciliation with God. Paul explains that we are “justified by his blood” (Romans 5:9). His sacrifice enables the Father to forgive without compromising justice. Through faith in Christ, we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1).
4) His blood sanctifies and grants access to God’s presence. Jesus suffered outside the camp that He might sanctify His people with His own blood (Hebrews 13:12). Through Christ we can boldly enter God’s throne room (Hebrews 10:19). His blood makes full Atonement.
5) His blood purchased people from every nation as His own. Citizens of God’s kingdom were “ransomed…with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). John saw saints of every tribe singing praise to the Lamb for redeeming them (Revelation 5:9).
6) His blood overcomes the devil. The saints conquered Satan “by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11). Through Jesus’ victorious sacrifice, He decisively defeated the powers of darkness.
A Vivid Contrast
When Isaiah talks about scarlet sins becoming white as snow, he provides a vivid mental picture of the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness through the Messiah. Our crimson transgressions are washed pure white in the Lamb’s blood. Psalm 51:7 expresses David’s hope that God would “wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Paul explains that God made Christ “to be sin for us” so that “in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). What good news! No matter how scarlet our sin, His finished work can make us as white as snow.
The Metaphor Applied
Let’s reflect on a few ways this vivid metaphor can be applied:
1) We should be humbled by the seriousness of sin. If our transgressions require the blood of God’s own Son to cleanse, we can’t trivialize sin. Our iniquities are crimson indeed. We desperately need a Redeemer.
2) We should be amazed at the power of His blood. If something so terribly stained can be made perfectly white, what can’t His blood overcome? We need never wallow in shame. His blood availed!
3) We should cling to Christ in repentant faith. Only His sacrifice could remove the entrenched stain of sin. We must renounce self-reliance and cast ourselves on Him alone, receiving God’s mercy.
4) We should walk in joy and freedom. Forgiven saints need not be shackled by past guilt. His blood has ransomed us to serve the living God in the gladness of holy freedom.
5) We should extend grace to others. Since we’ve been forgiven much, we must also love much (Luke 7:47). Our hearts should overflow with patient mercy toward others.
Our Scarlet Deeds, His Crimson Flow
This vivid metaphor is meant to strike us deeply. When weighed against God’s glory, our disobedience is as repulsive as blood-soaked garments. But Christ’s precious blood is more than sufficient to cleanse the most scarlet transgressions and make them white as snow. Have you been to the fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins? Come and find pardon for your scarlet sins.
The Sinfulness of Sin
To properly understand Isaiah’s scarlet metaphor, we must start by reflecting on the seriousness of sin. Why does our disobedience provoke such drastic action – the suffering and death of God’s Son to redeem us? Consider sin’s terrible traits:
1) Sin represents rebellion against our Creator. When we break God’s law, we reject His rightful rule and cast off His loving restraints. This treasonous defiance deserves severe consequences.
2) Sin pollutes our inner being. Transgression taints our heart, mind, and conscience. Jeremiah 17:9 says the human heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick. Only radical redemption can undo this damage.
3) Sin spreads destruction in every direction. Our disobedience never stays private but always hurts others and brings disorder into God’s good world. The fallout of sin is massive.
4) Sin incurs guilt before our Judge. Lawbreaking makes us liable to condemnation and punishment. Apart from mercy, we stand helpless before the Judge of all the earth.
5) Sin enslaves with great power. When we sin once, it becomes easier to sin again, and soon develops into binding habits and addictions. The chains feel unbreakable.
6) Sin earns eternal punishment. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Defiant creatures have no place in God’s flawless new creation. The penalty must be everlasting.
When surveyed closely, the ugliness and horror of sin is staggering. Like putrid, blood-colored stains, our disobedience reeks before a holy God. We are justly damned. Our plight is utterly hopeless, if not for one Man…
Christ Our Redeemer
Into this bleak situation, Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to redeem us from our scarlet sins. Consider the glories of Christ:
1) His incarnation brought the God-man. Jesus is fully divine, yet took on full human nature. This qualified Him to represent both parties in bringing reconciliation.
2) His perfect life exceeded the law’s demands. Jesus fulfilled every requirement. His righteousness is credited to those who believe. Our sins were imputed to Him.
3) His substitutionary death satisfied justice. Christ bore the penalty of death in place of sinners. God’s just wrath was spent. A full payment for sins was made.
4) His bodily resurrection proclaimed victory. The wages of sin is death, but Christ conquered the grave. His triumph declares God’s acceptance of His sacrifice.
5) His ascension and rule secures the benefits. Christ intercedes for us as High Priest and sends His Spirit. All authority ensures the salvation of His people.
6) His promised return will complete salvation. Christ will raise the dead, judge all men, and usher in the new heavens and new earth. We will be glorified with Him.
When we survey the glories of the God-man mediator, we are left awe-struck. His sinless incarnation, substitutionary death for sinners, and mighty resurrection provide the only possible remedy for our scarlet sins. Our hope rests completely in Him.
The Message of the Gospel
The good news of the gospel is that, though our sins once stained us deep scarlet before God, Jesus Christ has shed His own blood to cleanse that ugly stain and make us white as snow in God’s sight. Let’s explore the gospel remedy:
1) Conviction of Sin. Through the law, our eyes are opened to see how grievously our lives fall short of God’s perfect standards. We see our total, inexcusable guilt before Him. Our sin appears Scarlet indeed.
2) Contrition and Repentance. When illuminated by the Spirit, we become deeply grieved over our rebellion against God. We confess our guilt without excuse and turn from sin to serve Christ as Lord.
3) Redemption through Blood. When we trust in Jesus alone, His sin-bearing death is credited to us. Our debt is paid, our crimes atoned for. Cleansing blood redeems us.
4) Imputation of Righteousness. Not only is our sin imputed to Christ, but His perfect righteousness is imputed to us who believe. He is the source of our restored purity.
5) Regeneration and Renewal. When born again by the Spirit, we receive a new heart with new desires. As we grow in grace, joyful obedience becomes natural.
6) Reconciliation with God. While once estranged as enemies under wrath, we are brought near and adopted as beloved children. Our relationship is restored!
7) Final Glorification. When Jesus returns, we will be raised and our redemption will be complete. We will be pure and spotless, perfected in holiness.
From the first conviction of sin to the final glorification, our cleansing from scarlet sin to snowy white is all by God’s grace, on the basis of Christ’s sufficient work.
Old Testament Background
Isaiah’s vivid scarlet metaphor reflects important Old Testament background truths. To properly interpret his words, we must see them against that backdrop:
1) The Holiness of God. The God of Scripture is utterly holy (Isaiah 6:3). He cannot overlook or tolerate sin, but judges it impartially. Our iniquities provoke His righteous wrath.
2) The Sacrificial System. Following the law God gave Moses, the Israelites performed daily animal sacrifices to atone for sins (Leviticus 4). These prefigured Christ’s perfect sacrifice.
3) The Typology of Blood. God demanded blood sacrifices because “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Blood represents a substitute life given for another.
4) Blood for Atonement. Once a year, the high priest presented blood before God to make atonement for Israel’s sins (Leviticus 16). This pointed to our redemption through Christ.
5) The Concept of Imputation. Symbolized in the sacrificial system, one party’s guilt is credited to an innocent substitute, while the substitute’s innocence is credited in return (Leviticus 16:21-22). Our sins were imputed to Christ.
6) The Role of Repentance. God required repentance even when sacrifices were offered (Psalm 51:16-17). Outward atonement is meaningless without sincere contrition.
7) The Promise of Cleansing. Despite Israel’s constant sins, God promised to wash His people clean when He would sprinkle them with water and give them a new heart (Ezekiel 36:24-27).
Isaiah’s beautiful metaphor only makes sense in light of these Old Testament concepts. By seeing how his words harken back to these truths, we can better grasp his inspired message of redemption.
New Testament Fulfillment
The saving work of Jesus Christ fulfills what Isaiah pictured when he spoke of our scarlet sins made white as snow. The New Testament fleshes out this salvation:
1) Christ Lived in Perfect Obedience. While we broke God’s law, Jesus fulfilled every jot and tittle. His active obedience achieved the righteousness God requires.
2) Christ Died as an Atoning Sacrifice. Like the Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), Christ’s crucifixion satisfied God’s justice and turned away His wrath from sinners.
3) Christ’s Blood Brings Justification. Those who place their trust in Jesus are “justified by his blood” (Romans 5:9). His death merited our pardon.
4) Believers are Sanctified through Christ. He sanctifies His church, cleansing her with the washing of water by the Word (Ephesians 5:26). Holiness spreads through His members.
5) The Conscience is Cleansed from Guilt. Just as OT sacrifices removed ceremonial impurity, Christ’s blood purges our conscience from the burden of sin (Hebrews 9:14).
6) Repentance and Faith are Required. As foreshadowed in the OT, we must repent and believe to be cleansed from sin (Acts 2:38). Not mere outward sacrifice, but living faith.
7) Redeemed Saints are Transformed. When cleansed from scarlet sins, we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Empowered by the Spirit, we bear godly fruit.
Isaiah’s prophetic vision finds its ultimate fulfillment in the redeeming work of Christ. This shows how the Bible’s consistency reveals an overarching divine Author inspiring the human writers.
Implications and Application
In light of Isaiah’s vivid metaphor, compare and contrast scarlet sin with the white snow of redemption. Then reflect on the staggering implications:
Our sin…
– Defiles us inwardly vs. His blood…cleanses us thoroughly
– Makes us liable to judgment vs. His righteousness…makes us justified
– Enslaves us vs. His power…sets us free
– Brings condemnation vs. His mediation…grants mercy
– Leads to death vs. His resurrection…gives eternal life
– Yields sorrow and guilt vs. His grace…provides unspeakable joy
Such vivid contrasts show why His redemption is called “wonderful grace.” When we grasp the stark difference between our sin and His salvation, it leads to responding rightly:
– With humble repentance – seeing the ugliness of sin
– With hearts of worship – praising the glory of grace
– With lives of holiness – being done with scarlet sins
– With white-hot devotion – to love and serve such a merciful Redeemer
Isaiah’s crimson metaphor wasn’t given just to impress us, but to transform us. When we grasp these glorious truths, it will change everything about how we live. Our holy God has graciously redeemed us from all our scarlet sins. Hallelujah!