What New Testament passages echo the theme of forgiveness in Isaiah 1:18? An Old Testament Invitation Still Echoing “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 as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) How the New Testament Picks Up the Melody • Christ’s own words – Matthew 26:28 — “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Luke 24:47 — “and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” • Announcements surrounding His birth and resurrection – Luke 1:77 — “to give to His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” • Early church preaching – Acts 2:38 — “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 3:19 — “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” – Acts 10:43 — “All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” • Apostolic teaching in the epistles – Ephesians 1:7 — “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” – Colossians 1:14 — “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Hebrews 8:12 — “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 9:14 — “how much more will the blood of Christ… purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!” – Hebrews 10:17 — “Then He adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’” – Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 John 1:7 — “…the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” • Prophetic vision of ultimate cleansing – Revelation 1:5 — “To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood.” – Revelation 7:14 — “…They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Key Threads Tying It All Together • God’s initiative: From Isaiah’s “Come now” to Jesus’ self-sacrifice, the Lord always moves first to make cleansing possible. • Blood as the cleansing agent: Scarlet sins become snow-white through Christ’s shed blood. • Repentance and faith: New Testament calls to repent and believe mirror Isaiah’s summons to “reason together.” • Complete removal of guilt: “White as snow… remember no more”—Isaiah’s promise fulfilled in Christ means sin is not merely covered but erased. Living the Reality Because the same God who spoke through Isaiah now speaks through the cross, believers can walk daily in freedom, gratitude, and confidence that every crimson stain is already washed whiter than snow. |
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