Christian Living

DID JESUS DIE FOR FILTHY RAGS?

by Lisa Carter
07/14/17
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DID JESUS DIE FOR FILTHY RAGS?

I enjoy hearing the scriptures being taught with clarity and accuracy. I understand no one is perfect and people do misspeak. However, when scripture is taken out of context inside the walls of the church, it really gets to me. Such an occurrence took place one Sunday morning during service.

The worship leader was the first to make the statement, “We are filthy rags to God.” I was a little surprised by the statement because I knew it was inaccurate, but I decided the best thing to do was to overlook it at that time. Next, the pastor of the church arose and came to the podium and made the statement that, “we are filthy rags.” I was really confused at that point.

I am not a Bible scholar, but I instantly knew the scripture they had mentioned concerning filthy rags was taken out of context. In Isaiah chapter 64, the prophet is praying on behalf of the Lord’s people. He remains humble in spirit and puts himself in the same circumstance they are in. Beginning in Isaiah chapter 53, he says, “All we like sheep have gone astray…” and he continues until we come to verse 6 in chapter 64, which reads:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” (NIV)

Indeed, after careful reading of several versions of the same scripture, it appears that the filthy rags spoken of in Isaiah 64:6 are meant to give us a mental picture of what our good deeds are to God when we walk in disobedience to Him.

For example, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick in the hospital, and in the jails are all good and righteous things to do. Yet, if our hearts are far from God, how can there be any righteousness in the righteous acts we do?

So when I hear people say, “We are filthy rags.” It just lets me know that we all could use a good reminder every now and then of what the Word of God says about us. Genesis 1:27 says that we are  “created in His own image.”

God’s image is certainly not that of a filthy, soiled, rag that is worth nothing. Yes, I understand we are to remain humble in our hearts and to be mindful and careful not to think of ourselves more highly than we should. Perhaps this is what the pastor and worship leader intended by referring to the Lord's people as "filthy rags." 

But it is important to remember that Jesus suffered emotionally, was tortured physically, and endured extreme mental anguish while he was being scourged and made to carry that heavy cross.

Then, when He hung on the cross enduring the shame and the excruciating pain, He did it because we were worth it to Him. I don’t deserve that kind of love, nor do you. Yet, Christ loved us enough to endure and He did not go through what He went through for a bunch of filthy, worthless rags. He did it for us - His children. Amen!