A foreign circus was once traveling through Old Russia in the days before the Communists seized control of that land. Stopping at a city for an engagement, the keeper hired a native Russian to wash out some of the cages.
The keeper could not speak a word of Russian so it was necessary for him to show the man what he wanted done. Taking a bucket of water and a scrubbing brush he entered the cage of a tame antelope and proceeded to scrub the cage floor. Then, as was his custom, he ran the brush up and down the back of the antelope a few times, much to the gentle animal’s delight. Turning the brush and bucket over to his hired man, he went away for a short while.
When he returned he was horrified to see his Russian helper in the leopard’s cage, vigorously scrubbing the back of the dangerous beast. However, the huge cat seemed charmed at the massage it was receiving. Instead of showing any signs of animosity, it was stretched out at full length, thoroughly enjoying the novel treatment at the hands of the unsuspecting attendant.
Whether or not the poor Russian thought he could remove some of the leopard’s spots, we do not know. But we are sure that no amount of scrubbing could ever take away one spot from the leopard’s skin.
In Jeremiah 13:2323Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23) the Lord asks: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” As the leopard cannot change its spots, no more can man change his rebellious nature.
Those spots on the leopard remind us of the spots and dark stains of sin on the sinner. He cannot get rid of them himself. No amount of scrubbing—good deeds, church-going, prayers, and such—can ever remove the deep-dyed stains of sin. “For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD.” Jeremiah 2:2222For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God. (Jeremiah 2:22).
Only one thing in heaven and on earth can take away sin from God’s sight—that is the precious blood of Jesus. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). Now a sinner who comes to Him may have his sins forgiven and be washed “whiter than snow.”
ML-12/21/1980