The Red Sea

The Red Sea

What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away.

Acts 22:16

William Hogarth was a famous English painter and engraver. In fact, he was one of the leading British artists of the first half of the eighteenth century.

Once a miserly, old English nobleman wanted Hogarth to paint on his staircase a picture of the destruction of Pharaoh’s hosts in the Red Sea when in pursuit of Moses and the Israelites. He did so much haggling over the price that Hogarth finally agreed to do the work for about half of what it was really worth.

After two days’ work, to the great surprise of the nobleman, Hogarth announced that the painting was ready. When the curtain was removed, there was nothing to be seen but the stairway painted red all over.

“What have you here?” cried the miser. “I ordered a scene of the Red Sea!”

“The Red Sea you have,” replied the artist, indicating the red expanse before them.

“But where are the Israelites?” questioned the nobleman.

“They have all gone over to the other side.”

“And where are the Egyptians?”

“They have all drowned.”

The financial adage says, “You get what you pay for”—a truism in all arenas of life except one. When it comes to salvation, we do not pay for it at all. Instead, we get what Jesus paid for—our spiritual freedom. It comes to us as a free gift from the Father of love.

We often have a difficult time accepting this marvelous gift because our Puritan work ethic says we have to work for everything we receive. But we cannot work to earn God’s grace. It’s not for sale. It’s not for barter. It’s free.

Just as the Red Sea washed away Pharaoh’s army, God’s grace washes away the dirt of our sins, making us new creatures, clean and safe for all eternity.

For washing away our sins, dear Lord, we praise and thank you with all our hearts. We love you, Father. Amen.