Five Minute Friday one-word prompt: SETTLE
“Come now.” My father patted the chair he’d turned to face him. “Let us settle the matter.”
I sat, my eyes refusing to move higher than his large hands folded in his lap.
“Your sins are like scarlet.”
My heart plummeted.
He took my tremulous hands in his. “But they shall be white as snow.”
I dared to raise my head, look in his eyes.
“You heard me correctly. Though your sins are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
“How can you say that?”
“How can I not?”
“You know my sins.”
“I do.”
My heart ached to hope, but my mind raced in rebellion. “White symbolizes purity. I’m anything but pure.”
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Arguments gathered at the back of my throat.
“Is this matter settled?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“If I could go back and change what I’ve done, I would. But I can’t. I agree my sin has left a stain. A permanent stain I can never remove.”
“That’s true.”
“So, it’s settled?”
“Yes. While you were a sinner Christ died for you. You have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of your sins, in accordance with the riches of my grace. When Jesus hung on the cross he said, ‘It is finished.’ What more does he need to do?”
“I would never ask more of him.”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing when you refuse to believe my Son’s sacrifice, the pouring out of his life, is enough to cover your sins? What more can he do to convince you?”
What more could he do? I’d never comprehend the price Jesus paid for my sins, but I knew he had paid the price. My father’s face blurred through my tears. “I’m ready to settle the matter.”
His smile reached his eyes. He squeezed my hands. “Good, my precious daughter. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)