Where I live, winter time typically brings lots of snow, and yesterday was no exception when the white stuff floated down for nearly 24 hours, our first major snowfall of the year. Not being a huge fan of snow and cold, I had to admit that the snowflakes were pretty to watch as they collected in my backyard—ranging in diameter from a pinhead to a dime throughout the day. And, with next to no wind, the pure white flakes more or less fell straight down as they collected on everything exposed to them.
Over time, my entire backyard transformed into a thick blanket of white, the freshly fallen snow collecting on trees, fences, rooftops, and yes, my patio furniture. The new exterior facade created a totally different landscape and ambiance when compared to autumn’s mask just a short time ago. Did you know that the Bible has numerous biblical references to snow in the Old and New Testaments? Well, now you do, and I’ll briefly share a few here as you no doubt expected!
In Revelation 1:14 we read, “His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow.” (NLT)
Matthew 28:3 says, “His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.” (NLT)
The above verses describe Jesus, but there are also verses that use the reference to snow as a way to tell us how our Saviour deals with sin, and as a believer in Christ, being washed as white as snow is super cool when I realize that my sins are forgiven by the blood of the cross and grace through faith. And so, my friend, are yours!
“’Come now, let’s settle this,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.’” (Isaiah 1:18 NLT)
“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalms 51:7 NLT)
As fresh and clean as my yard appeared once the snow stopped falling, my soul cannot help but rejoice at how God uses the reference of snow to help me better understand His unfailing love and that despite our sinful nature, we are, in the eyes of Jesus, made as white as snow when we come to Him and ask Him into our lives, top to bottom, stem to stern. Jesus does the hard work on our behalf, and all we need to do is surrender our lives to His plan and purpose.
As much as I am not a lover of winter, I will most assuredly not look at snow in quite the same way when it comes down and stockpiles in my yard. Jesus refers to snow in its purest form, that when we get down on our knees before Him, He promises to wash us as white as snow when we trust Him with our lives. So, if you live in a snowy climate, stop a minute and think of snow from a biblical perspective. If you have never before experienced the white stuff, you can still rejoice when the rain falls—for the Lord sends both from heaven to water the earth:
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seeds for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10, 11 NIV)
With the Christmas season upon us, let’s remember that Christmas is about Jesus, the One who washes us as white as snow. And the best part is that it’s a free gift, no strings attached!
Paul Smyth
