Charles Schulz introduced Pig-Pen as a Peanuts cartoon strip character in 1954. Pig-Pen was the dirtiest kid on the block. A cloud of dust followed him everywhere. A Gallop poll in the year 2000 determined Pig-Pen to be the America’s most lovable Peanuts character. The country loved Him despite his uncleanliness.
Switching gears, let’s talk about the Middle Eastern concept of cleanliness. In Middle Eastern culture, the need to get clean before going to God in prayer is very necessary. Jewish and Muslim traditions require that people abstain from eating pork, abstain from drinking alcohol (for Muslims), dress in certain ways and cut their hair in certain ways (certain Jewish traditions), and they must wash themselves ceremonially before they can enter their center of worship (Muslims). A woman who is in her period cannot enter the Mosque because she is unclean.
The Western, Christian believer is in a similar situation. There are certain cleanliness rules they adhere to as well. Certain extreme traditions (Catholics and certain types of Protestants) require members of the congregation to confess their sins before a priest or pastor before they can take communion. Just like the Muslim and Jewish tradition, this is how many feel they become clean before entering God’s presence. Among evangelicals, lust is the big uncleanliness “no-no”. Millions of teenagers and college students go to youth groups every week and feel ashamed for their sin. They feel like they can’t enter God’s presence if they mentally lusted, made out with a guy or girl the night before, or even had sex. Their youth leaders reinforce their shame by harping on the need to “be pure” and “honor God”. The reality is that most of these youth pastors struggle with the same things themselves and are two-faced. This is outright legalism.
Jesus tells us in John 15:3 that we are already clean because of the word He has spoken to us. I need to check the Greek, but in English the word “already” tells us the action has already taken place. “It is finished.” He tells us in John 20:30. He has already atoned for us. We are already clean. We don’t have to keep trying to wash ourselves clean through our rituals and ceremonies, whether Middle Eastern or Western.
America has more grace for Pig-Pen than it has for human beings. They love him. They think he is lovable. The reality is we all wish we could be like Pig-Pen. We wish we could expose ourselves and that others would accept us. Praise the Lord, there are some groups of people like this where people are growing spiritually through grace. You can find those groups of people, if you try.
With God, we can be like Pig-Pen. We can walk right into His presence with all of our evil deeds exposed. He says to us, “Pig-Pen I’m glad you’re here. You don’t need to be ashamed. The very fact that you are here and that I’m talking with you is what has made you clean. When you came to see Me up on the cross, you saw that I was weak, grief stricken, unclean, and even forsaken by My Father for the sin I bore. It was your sin Pig-Pen. I bore all of it for you and you shouldn’t feel ashamed because I wanted to do this for you. I wanted to make you clean and you are clean because you are here and I have told you so. You don't have to make up for what I've done for you. On the outside, you look dirty (and you are--that’s why they call you Pig-Pen:) but on the inside, where I live inside you, you are the cleanest little guy around. And, that little mustard seed of faith you have will grow and blossom. When you aren’t looking, that is when you might notice that some of the outside has gotten a little cleaner as well. But, don’t worry so much about this.”
Jesus says, “The last shall be first.” In the year 2000, America followed suit and voted Pig-Pen, the least presentable one, their favorite Peanuts cartoon character. In God’s eyes you’re His favorite cartoon character. Walk into His presence. His words of grace makes you clean.
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