One is a number, numeral and the name of the glyph that represents it. It is the smallest unit of counting; it represents a single entity. One is the most common leading digit in many sets of data. It is the movement from nothing (0), to something. Three Dog Night sang, "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do." One seems very small, but one is very powerful. Twice one man changed the entire course of human history.

"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--for before the law was given sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: the judgement followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous" (Romans 5:12-19).

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all will die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then when He comes, those who belong to Him" (I Corinthians 15:20-23).

The sin of disobedience by Adam was enough to make everyone dirty, and that was powerful. The righteousness of Christ is more than enough to make everyone clean, and that is even more powerful. Remember the children's song: "My heart was black with sin, until the Savior came in. His precious blood I know, has washed it white as snow. And in God's Word I'm told, I'll walk the streets of gold. Oh wonderful, wonderful day He washed my sins away!"

Martin Luther said, "For God has arranged to remove through Christ whatever the devil brought in through Adam. And it was the devil who brought in sin and death. Therefore God brought about the death of death and the sin of sin, the poison of poison, the captivity of captivity. As He says through Hosea: 'O Death, I will be your death; O Hell, I will be your bite.'"

There was no man; then there was Adam. There was no hope; then there was Christ. "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O precious is that flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus." Thank You, One and Only Savior Jesus Christ, for the blood!" Amen.