GET RID OF THE OLD

Several days before their New Year celebration, many Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. There’s a Cantonese saying that goes: “Wash away the dirt on ninyabaat” (the 28th day of the last month of the year). They practise this tradition because it is believed the cleaning
sweeps away the bad luck of the old year and makes their homes ready for good luck.

When Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth, he asked them to give their lives a thorough cleaning—not for good luck but to please God. He told them to “get rid of the old yeast [or, ways]” (1 CORINTHIANS 5:7).

Paul used the Jewish feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread (EXODUS 12:1-28) as a backdrop for this command. Leaven (yeast) was a symbol of sin and corruption and was to be removed from Jewish homes to celebrate these festivals (DEUTERONOMY 16:3-4). As Jesus is the Passover Lamb
who cleans us from sin and selfishness, the Corinthians were to remove anything harmful from their lives and churches, like greediness and lies (1 CORINTHIANS 5:9-13).

Out of thankfulness to Jesus for His sacrifice, let us look to get rid of anything in our lives that hurts us or others, and celebrate instead the goodness that only He can bring.

To pray about . . .

Father, You know my every secret. Please clean me of the things that don’t please You. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for all my sin. I want You to make me new and pure. Amen.

ONLY JESUS MAKES US CLEAN.
WILL HEAR HIM SPEAK TO YOU.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries