As I write this, a winter storm rages outside.  The snow is piling up at a rapid pace.  For those of you who reside in other parts of the country, you shrug your shoulders and reply, “So what?  Been there; done that … nearly weekly all winter long!”

But for us in Western Washington, significant snowfall is cause for significant attention.  It rarely happens here.  When blizzards occur, or are expected to occur, they dominate the news.

For some, snow is a four-letter word, and one of the very worst words on the list!  Snow is cause for fear and trepidation among many.  Perhaps even panic, if driving is necessary.  The panic is due in part to the lack of snow removal plows available locally and partially because of the inexperienced winter drivers who live here.  But mostly the unease stems from the many hills in the area, some of which are steep and become treacherous with just a skimming of snow.

For others, lowland snow is a delightful novelty, and something to celebrate and experience.  Those many hills in the region that make driving dangerous also provide makeshift toboggan runs … even if one doesn’t own a taboggan.  Trash can lids make handy-dandy sleds; large boxes broken down will work too.  Anything that provides a little “slide” and a place to sit will do!  And usually one doesn’t need to journey far to find a hill to scoot recklessly down.  Meanwhile an army of snowmen is raised to try to hold off the attack from the warm rain that typically invades a day or two later.

Snow in the Pacific Northwest is a novelty both welcomed and dreaded.  And a bit of both for many folks.

When a healthy amount of snow accumulates, there is an obvious result.  It covers everything outside.  The house, the deck, the grill, the garage, the vehicles, the streets, the trees, the shrubs, the lawn … everything is draped in a beautiful blanket of white.

Which means a great many blemishes are covered over.  Aging shingles on roofs.  Rust and dents on vehicles, as well as cracks in the windshields.  Potholes in the streets.  Dead limbs on trees and weeds in the lawn or flowerbeds.  Garbage in the alleys.  Even dog doodoo in the back yard.  Everything looks lovely under a thick layer of snow.

But looking lovely and being lovely are two completely different things. 

When the snow melts, the blemishes remain.  The flaws reappear; the necessary repairs still need to be done; the garbage and doodoo are re-revealed. 

So what about our spiritual flaws?  What about our ugly sinful blemishes?  We certainly want to cover them up with as lovely a coating as possible in an attempt to look good before God and people.  Something similar to snow would seem to be wonderful! 

Of course, God sees all.  And other people see a lot too, regardless of the efforts we make to throw a pretty cloak overtop.  And coverings like snow are temporary anyway.

Thankfully our God has provided a solution!  It doesn’t sound as lovely as a layer of snow, or seem to be as attractive or appealing, but it is far more effective.  God’s solution to our sin-debt?  Covering us in the blood of Jesus, the holy Son of God and our Savior.

I recognize this is anything but a pretty picture.  However, don’t shrink from the illustration; embrace it!  Because Jesus’ blood not only covers over believers’ transgressions; it removes them completely!  As the Holy Spirit made clear when he had John write, “The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

This is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, both in the Old and New Testament.

In Leviticus 17:11, the Lord states, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

Years after Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, Peter writes this: “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” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The snowfall is gorgeous; gorgeous as it falls and gorgeous where it lays.  But it only covers.  Even more beautiful is the blood of Jesus which covers and removes our ugly flaws in the eyes of our Lord.