“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar and fill it with water.’”

Exodus 30:17–18 (NLT)

As a person walked into the tabernacle courtyard, he would see the bronze altar where sacrifices were offered, and atonement was made for sin. The next thing he would see was the bronze laver. This was a large basin that held water. The priests would wash their hands and feet prior to entering the tabernacle or offering sacrifices on the altar. This washing pictured cleansing from the Word of God.

Jesus told His disciples:

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

John 15:3 (NKJV)

When the apostle Paul wrote to husbands about how to love their wives, he said:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

Ephesians 5:25–27 (NKJV)

The Word of God has a remarkable cleansing effect in our lives. It convicts us of sin; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart; it shows us the difference between the soul and the spirit (Hebrews 4:12).

As we journey through this world, we pick up dirt. Some of that dirt infiltrates our thoughts, resulting in attitudes that are not godly. This is where we need the Lord to cleanse us with the washing of His Word. His purpose is that we become His beautiful Bride without spot, wrinkle or blemish. This is how He makes us holy as He is holy. This is how He fits us for service.

Are you presenting yourself to Christ so that He can wash you with His Word?

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