LightGrams
September 5, 2024
Volume 28, Number 25
A college student from India has set a new record for the world’s smallest vacuum cleaner. Tapala Nadamuni, age 23, had set the record in 2020 when he created one that measured .69 inches, but that record vanished when a competitor made one even smaller. Nadamuni was not to be outdone.
Spending $238, he used a refillable ballpoint pen and a four-volt vibration motor to devise his newest creation, measuring just .25 of an inch. “What good is that?!” some might ask. According to the article carried by United Press International, it can pick up particles of dust that can then be emptied.
Authorities from Guinness World Records were convinced that Nadamuni satisfied the requirements for a new record. Still, it’s not a device that will tempt me. When it comes to cleaning, I have more than a few particles of dust. I need something more heavy-duty than that.
Having something to clean particles of dust and even dirtier houses is desirable, but our greatest need is mentioned in Zechariah 13:1: “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.” The English Standard Version of that verse makes its purpose explicit: “… to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.”
Was that fountain ever opened? According to 1 John 1:7, it was: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Peter called the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross at Calvary, “precious … as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). He who had no sin took our sins upon Him and made atonement for them (1 John 4:10).
John provides a detail of the crucifixion of Jesus we should consider when thinking about the fountain that was opened for cleansing: “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (John 19:34). Much of Jesus’ blood had already been poured out prior to that moment: the scourging of Jesus, the crown of thorns placed on His head, and the nails driven through His hands and feet – all of these produced flows of blood. But that one supreme moment of piercing His side declared His death for the sins of the world.
Every vacuum cleaner has its limits. Though it may work effectively for a time, it will eventually break down or wear out. What about this cleansing blood of Christ? Again, let’s ponder what John wrote: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 4:9). Highlight that word, “all”. There is no limit to what God will forgive when the blood of Christ is applied.
We’re all alike in this respect: We don’t need a little clean-up job; we need heavy-duty cleaning when it comes to our sins. But that’s the kind of cleaning our Lord specializes in. Read it for yourself in Isaiah 1:18.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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