4.1.2026 - Scott Elgersma

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

1 Peter 1:13-25

We read today from 1 Peter 1:13-25. Read the passage now or at the end of this devotion. What can we learn today from the light of God’s word to us?

Happy Easter Week! May the Spirit bless you as you anticipate the celebration, the remembrances and the reflections ahead. In these devotions, we are focusing on Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

To do that, I’d like to join in some simple word associations throughout the week. My hope is to bring us into some places of gratitude and reflection by using some common objects that we run into every day.

Today’s word association is pure white.

I wear undershirts almost every day. Plain white “Fruit of the Loom” undershirts, not tank tops or V-necks. Because I wear them every day, they are significant contributors to our wash load. This means that on several occasions, I have mixed in one of my undershirts with other colors. 

You know what I’m talking about if you’ve done this. The shirt that went into the wash pure white, now comes out white-ish or white-like. Depending on the colors it was washed with, it may have a tinge to it that lets you know that it was once pure white, but now it’s more ‘ecru’, ‘eggshell’, or maybe now it’s just plain beige. Keeping something pure white is hard because life usually doesn’t let something be free from getting marked up.

That’s why today’s text from 1 Peter is so remarkable. In 1 Peter 1:18-19 we hear, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” We are reminded of the extraordinary work of Jesus to be a Lamb worthy of sacrifice without any mark of sin or imperfection. His perfection made a way for our sin to be forgiven, and for sin to lose its power to condemn.

We need the purity of Christ and despite living in a world that confronted him daily with those who would sling the filth of sin and judgment upon him, he retained his perfection unto a worthy sacrifice on the cross…for us.

When you see pure white in a shirt or on a wall, or maybe even in a really clean car, be reminded of the holiness of Jesus. He remained free from the dirt of sin, and filth of condemnation so that we may know the full freedom that comes from being redeemed by the worthy Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his smile towards you and give you his peace.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

I love you all. Blessings.

Feel free to share this devotion with others.

To contact the author, please email: elgersma@therivercrc.com