Chapter 37

Ryder stepped through the familiar doors of the church, immediately greeted by Chaney Wilson. "Hey, Ryder. Glad to see you here today," Chaney said.

Ryder shook his hand, replying nervously, "Thanks, Chaney. Good to see you again."

He entered the sanctuary, a spacious room with rows of cushioned chairs. At the front stood an old wooden podium with a projection screen behind it. The congregation wore casual attire: jeans, some quite worn; cowboy boots; dress shirts; and a few in just t-shirts. This sight eased Ryder's anxiety as he took a seat near the back.

A small band featuring a drummer, keyboardist, bass guitarist, and acoustic guitarist began playing songs. By the third song, Ryder stood silently, absorbing the powerful lyrics:

"White as snow, white as snow, though my sins were as scarlet,

Lord I know, Lord I know, that I'm clean and forgiven.

Through the power of Your blood, through the wonder of Your love,

through belief in You I know that I can be

white as snow."

When the song concluded, the band returned to their seats and Luther stepped up to the podium.

"Welcome everyone. Please open your Bibles to Isaiah 1:18," Luther said before reading aloud: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

Don't skim over this verse without appreciating its gravity. The Lord of glory—the creator of all—is offering an extraordinary deal. You exchange your scarlet sins for a spotless past and present. This sounds unbelievable, but what's the catch? We often hear offers too good to be true with hidden fine print or exclusions. However, when God extends forgiveness, there is no catch—it is genuinely free.

In Isaiah chapter 1, God has just presented a legal case against His people—they are guilty. He no longer desires their sacrifices because mere rituals without genuine love for Him are detestable; see Isaiah 1:11-17. So what does receiving forgiveness cost them? If Isaiah 1:18's promise of purity isn't clear enough, it crystallizes near the prophecy's end: "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!...Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food"; Isaiah 55:1-2.

The holy God offers sinners a free banquet and promises satisfaction in Himself.

Grace may be free but it isn't cheap. Bonhoeffer puts it succinctly: "Above all—it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son; 'you were bought at a price'...Costly grace is God incarnate."

There's a reason we can have our sins washed white as snow—not through our own deeds.

Ryder shifted uncomfortably in his seat as if Luther's words were directed at him alone. How could he ever be made as white as snow with all his past mistakes? Ryder wondered.

In Job 9:30, Job recognized that even if he purified himself with snow, he could never stand before the holiness of God. He confided in his friends about his dire situation, feeling pursued by God and unable to present himself to discuss it with Him. "For He is not a man, as I am, that I might answer Him, that we should come to trial together. There is no arbiter between us…"; Job 9:32-33a. Job experienced the anguish of trying to be in God's presence without a mediator.

What Job longed for; Jesus fulfilled!

King David, repentant after committing adultery and murder, cried out to God in Psalm 51:7b, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Only if God Himself does the washing can the scarlet sins be cleansed since sin is against God. The good news of the gospel is that God purifies us through the blood of His resurrected and victorious Son.

What David longed for; Jesus accomplished!

Your scarlet sins can be made white as snow because Jesus' sacrificial blood covers them. Your sin isn't just removed; you are made clean. If you trust in Jesus alone for your salvation, have you accepted your purity before the Judge of all the earth? Whatever your shameful sin may be, rejoice! Because of Jesus, your heart can be as clean as freshly fallen snow.

Maybe you're still trying to pay for your sin, hide from it, or run from your Savior. If you trust in Jesus, He says to you today: "Fear not." Psalm 34:3 says In Jesus, your sins are white as snow! "O taste and see that the Lord is good!"

Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You today with grateful hearts for Your ultimate sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins. Thank You for washing us white as snow and making us clean.

As Luther continued praying, Ryder leaned forward, elbows on his knees and head resting in his hands. He struggled with thoughts: How can this be? How can someone like me, who has done what I've done, ever be made clean? How can I become pure again? Why would God do this for me? I'm not worthy of such a sacrifice.

These thoughts and more swirled through Ryder's mind; an internal battle raged within him, leaving him unsure which side was winning. Lost in contemplation, he didn't notice church had ended and everyone was leaving; he remained there with his head bowed.

Luther noticed this and quietly sat beside him. He gently placed a hand on Ryder's shoulder, causing him to jump.

"Sorry, Ryder. I didn't mean to startle you."

Ryder glanced around the room, noting that he and Luther were the only ones remaining.

"I'm sorry, Luther. I didn't realize it was over," Ryder said as he began to stand. Luther stopped him and pulled him back down.

"What's going on, Ryder?"

Ryder looked down at his hands, shaking his head.

"I can't help you if you don't talk."

Ryder straightened up and met Luther's eyes. "I'm in love with a woman. I want to spend my life with her." He took a deep breath. "I didn't make the best choices while mourning my dad. For years, I turned to sex to numb the pain of losing him. This incredible woman, who loves me back, is a virgin. We talked about it and she said it's the most precious gift she could give her husband on their wedding night. I love Isobel and want to marry her. But I have nothing like that to offer her."

"I see." Luther leaned back in his seat. "Does Isobel know about your past?"

"Yes, she knows everything."

"And she still loves you?"

"Yes."

"Then she loves you just as you are, Ryder. Your love for her is a valuable gift on its own. You have so much to offer her. It's remarkable that she's saving herself for her husband; that's indeed an extraordinary gift." Luther turned his chair toward Ryder. "Ryder, God loves all His children no matter what they have done. He sent His own Son as a sacrifice so we may be forgiven. Like today's sermon said, He washes away our stains and makes us clean. God's love for you is immense; He has already forgiven you. You're purified in His name."

Ryder absorbed every word Luther spoke, struggling to believe them. "Why would God forgive me? What have I done for Him?"

"Ryder, whether you believe it or not, God loves you—all of you. It's not about what you've done for Him because His gift of salvation is available to anyone who desires it. His Son Jesus died in your place so you can be cleansed of any sin. God loves you so much that He wants you to choose to follow Him and believe in what He did for you so that you may walk as a new man. Those who accept this gift and live a new life in freedom with the Holy Spirit are called to follow the teachings of His Son, help others, and serve Him."

Ryder's confusion was evident on his face as he tried to process everything he had just heard.

"The first step to redemption is to confess your sins to God, seek His forgiveness, and welcome Him into your life. Is this something you want to do, Ryder?"

Ryder nodded, a tear rolling down his cheek. "Yes," he whispered, voice trembling.

"Would you like me to pray with you? To guide you through this step?"

Ryder nodded again.

Luther reached out and clasped one of Ryder's hands in his own, placing his other hand on Ryder's shoulder. He bowed his head and began to pray.

"Dear loving Father, I pray for Ryder. May he find peace in his heart and trust You to lead him down the right path." Luther looked up at Ryder. "Ryder, these next words must come from you."

Ryder nodded, "Alright."

"Confess your sins to God and ask Him for forgiveness."

Ryder bowed his head, gazing at the floor. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "God...I have not led...a righteous life. I have..." He cleared his throat. "I have slept with many women. I have lied and gotten drunk many times." He paused, wiping away a few tears. "Please forgive me, Lord."

"Thank you, Lord," Luther continued, "for forgiving Ryder. Thank you for granting him the strength and courage today." Luther paused again and faced Ryder. "Ryder."

Ryder opened his eyes and looked at Luther.

Overwhelmed by emotion and peace washing over him, tears streamed down Ryder's face as he dropped to his knees. With Luther's hand steady on his shoulder, he began to pray: "Father, thank You for loving me. I don't deserve any of this, but I know this is who You are. I've felt something drawing me to You. I want to be a new man; thank You for helping me see that I needed You back in my life. Thank You for Your patience with me." Pausing momentarily as he could almost feel the blood coursing through him, he continued: "Starting today, I want to honor You and live the life I was meant to live. I need Your help with this, Lord. I trust that You will guide my steps forward. In Jesus' name. Amen." Ryder lifted his head up and took a deep breath, feeling lighter and warmth spreading through his chest as he closed his eyes briefly before opening them again and sitting back in the seat.

Luther patted him on the back. "Ryder?"

"Yes."

"Well done."

With a slight smile curling on his lips, Ryder glanced at Luther and said, "Thank you, Luther. Now what?"

Luther glanced at Ryder and chuckled. "That's a great question. Normally, I recommend starting with the book of John. How about we schedule a 30-45 minute meeting in a few days?"

Ryder pondered for a moment. "I have rodeos on weekends, so could we plan for a weekday?"

"Sure, let me check my calendar and we can set a time." Luther said, reaching for his planner.

Luther checked his calendar and pointed at an available slot. "How about this date?" he asked.