I am fortunate to work near one of the most popular and charming spots in my hometown of Greenville, SC. Nestled toward the West End of downtown, Falls Park boasts lush green space and scenic walkways alongside the meandering Reedy River. The highlight of the park, a set of waterfalls tucked beneath a pedestrian bridge, is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
On a beautiful, sunny day, the river is smooth and calm and evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. However, after heavy rains it is quick to rise, in both level and force.
I passed by one day after a period of substantial rain and stopped to observe the roar and power of the typically calm waters. One this day, it threatened to consume and carry away anything that stepped into its murky path.
As I stood there, these lyrics from the Crowder song All We Sinners echoed across my mind:
“The crimson river, like a flood, came washing over all of us. It swallowed sin and death right up, and all we sinners sang. Yeah, all we sinners sang.”
Oh, how this reminded me that I far too often lose sight of the power of the blood shed by Jesus on the cross. I’m not one who tolerates gruesome and gory well so if I’m honest, my natural inclination is to focus on the softer, sunny side of Jesus…his love, peace, and grace. Those are indeed fully worthy of our praise and worship, but his blood shed must never be sanitized.
The streams of red that flowed from his pierced body gushed forth with all the power of a raging river roaring against the sin standing in the way of a relationship with God, breaking chains, and ultimately declaring victory over death (Matthew 26:28, John 8:34-36, 1 Corinthians 15:55).
Although it’s usually wise to avoid flood waters, the safest thing we can do in response to this river is to jump right in. We need these waters to wash over our souls because our sin isn’t just a blemish that we can splash off on our own (Psalm 14:3, Romans 3:23-25).
It takes the righteousness of these crimson waters to consume our sin (Romans 5).
So, don’t be afraid to let this river take you under. In it, life tramples over death and the wrath we deserve from God is exchanged for peace with God, allowing us to boldly emerge and declare:
“Saved, we are saved. The gates of heaven wide open. Saved, we are saved. The keys to the grave have been stolen.
And all we sinners sang.” ~David Crowder
