My summer home is both small and old — 30 years old this year. The appliances have all been updated, but the kitchen sink is original and sometimes hard to get clean. The other day, I scrubbed it with my favourite cleanser, but there were still some stubborn marks that I couldn't remove. I didn't have any of the stronger cleanser that I normally use, and when I went to the store, I couldn't find it anywhere. Then, I saw what I call the "magic sponge", or Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser, available from a variety of sources. I grabbed a package from the shelf. And sure enough, when I got home, a few swipes with the magic sponge and my sink looked like new.

Curious as to how it works so well, I discovered that it uses a melamine foam that works like super-fine sandpaper. Add a little water, start scrubbing, and its open-cell structure allows the sponge to lift and trap dirt in its cavities.

But there's a downside. Because of their abrasive surface and the constant rubbing, these sponges wear out quickly, until there's hardly anything left to hold onto.

As I was scrubbing, I thought about how this sponge's cleansing abilities are a picture of how the blood of Jesus cleanses us from the sins and stains of our lives.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)

1 John 1:7-9 – But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit continues to scrub away at our sins while we go through life as a follower of Christ. But that came at a cost: Jesus had to sacrifice His life so that we could have abundant life. In a small way, we can compare that to the sponge wearing itself out while scrubbing away stains.

1 John 3:16 – We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. (NLT)

We may not be asked to physically give up our lives for others, but we are asked to love others sacrificially and generously, offering grace and forgiveness when we'd much rather act differently. Let's commit to wearing ourselves out for Christ.

Prayer: Thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross so that we may be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Help us to love others with Your love. Amen.