Trust Jesus….

A few weeks ago I was talking with a friend.  We were about to embark on a Bible study together.  I said, “Let’s do this on the blood of Jesus.”  She laughed and said that would be good idea as she always felt funny and “squeagy” whenever it is mentioned.  Then I laughed, as I knew the Holy Spirit had given me direction for our time together.  I just can’t think of anything more important than knowledge of “the blood” and “the cross.”

Maybe you feel the way she did.  I know I feel “sick” when I hear about Satan worshipers drinking the blood of goats, and other animals.  So I can certainly relate.  However, I feel such comfort, and respect, and confidence in the blood of Jesus.  What is the difference? 

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” (Lev. 17:11)

We all know, no blood in our body, no life.  We also know if our heart stops beating, no blood, no life.  The blood actually carries “life” to every cell in the body, as the first part of the above scripture states.  

I would imagine that most peoples of the world are very familiar with “blood oaths”.  The American Indians used them in the old west.   Ancient cultures used them as a way of sealing a contract or covenant.  They are used to bind two people together as “blood brothers.”   Nothing is as permanent or as resolute as “sealed in blood”.  

Why does that carry such impact?  Because the Sovereign God of all Creation declared its’ value when He shed the blood of innocent animals in the Garden of Eden to cover the sins of Adam and Eve.  Then he made a blood oath with Abraham, recorded in Genesis 15, verses 9,10, 17, 18 where animals were again sacrificed.  Blood was shed as a part of the covenant by God to Abraham.  Two immutable things:  body and blood; symbolized by the burning lamp and smoking furnace, such as we see again referred to in Hebrews 6:18 (the body and blood of Jesus at the cross).

Through out the old Testament God honored the sacrifice of animals and the blood was put on the altar, for the sins of men.  The forgiveness or the atonement was in the blood, as stated in the balance of the scripture above.

We learn in Exodus 12 the Children of Israel were told to put the blood of a lamb over the door posts and windows for protection against the “destroyer”.    So the blood of a innocent lamb was used for protection.  Indicating protection could be part of the atonement.  Jesus became the “innocent Lamb” and I believe provides protection with His blood. 

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”  Rev. 12:11 

No need to ask who the “him” is in the above scripture—none other than the devil, Satan, etc.  The knowledge of God, His Will, His Ways are all there in the Bible—too much to know and understand even in a lifetime.  Nevertheless, when we keep seeking, knocking at the door of His Heart we will discover what we need as we go.    I have found nothing is automatic.   As Rev. 12;11 tells us, the blood and the word of our testimony is needed to “overcome”.   James certainly confirms the power of our words in the book of James, Chapter 3.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed.”   Isaiah 53:5

Could that mean “healing and peace” are in the atonement? 

That is all wonderful, however what makes the blood of Jesus so precious to us in this day and age.   The Truth of God’s Word never changes whether we lived in 50 AD or 2000.  Shedding blood seems very barbaric to our modern minds.  Ah, yes but keep going because it just gets better and better, once we see it through the eyes of Christ.    Let’s look into the blessing of the gift of His blood as we read the following scriptures:

“And being in an agony, He prayed more earnestly:  and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”  Luke 22:44

John 3:16 tells us that Jesus was sent by God for the purpose of salvation, atonement for mankind.  Jesus knew this but it was still difficult for Him to accept the actual manifestation of that assignment.  Being in ‘great agony’ his blood burst through the ruptured walls of the capillaries, coloring the perspiration and enlarging the drops, as stated in the Kenneth S. Wuest Translation of the New Testament.

Could it be that Jesus blood shed in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed that His will might line up with the will of the Father, was shed for the wills of men?  That we too, might line up our will with the will of the Father?

“So then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged Him.  And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe.”  John 19:1,2

In Genesis 3 we find that the earth was cursed with thorns and thistles.  Is the reverse of that curse in the blood of Jesus shed from the crown of thorns?  Gal. 3:13 says Jesus became a curse for us.  We receive that in salvation--and we desire to believe and receive all that Jesus paid for for with His precious blood.

"But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out."  John 19:34

Blood shed for the salvation of mankind!

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"  Rom. 3; 23-25

'Through faith in His blood,'  so many things have been given to the children of God.  How blessed we are!

"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."  Rom. 5:9

'Justified'....found not guilty in the eyes of God because of the blood of Jesus.  We are saved from the 'wrath' that sin brings!

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to riches of His grace;"  Eph. 1:7

The riches of God's Grace is more than mortal man can really comprehend--my understanding is that Grace is the bridge between God's settled opposition to sin (wrath) and His Love.  How grateful we can be for His Grace, and the blood of Jesus.

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."  Eph. 2:13

We are brought into the presence of God, being covered with the blood of Jesus.  What an awesome thought!  Also, stated in Col. 1;20.

"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctified to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"  Heb. 9:13,14

"Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."  Heb. 9:21-22

If the priests of the Old Testament sprinkled blood to sanctify (set apart for Godly use) everything physically, how much more powerful is it to pray, spiritually sprinkling the blood of Jesus over everyone and everything intended for Holy use?  'Sprinkling' also referred to by Peter, chapter 1, verse 2.

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."  I John 1:7

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.  Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Rev. 1:5

Over and over we are promised that are sins are paid for, forgiven and because of the blood of Jesus Christ we are in right standing with God.  I think of His blood like a beautiful velvet coat that covers me and everyone I pray for; protecting, healing and cleansing me from the filth I have gotten in the world, beautifully, wonderfully done with His sacrifice at the cross.  

How privileged we are to remember Him by confessing our sins, and taking communion, with bread and wine--body and blood--two immutable things, remembering what they represent.  

How could I not trust Jesus?  How could I not believe in a covenant, a promise sealed with His blood?  "Religion" can sometimes be what man tries to do for God; but, Christianity is what Jesus did for man.  

Then why is the "drinking of blood" by Satan worshippers so terribly offensive?  Because Satan imitates everything God does.  Satan's purpose is evil and involves putting curses on mankind.  God's purpose in sending His Son to die on the cross was the the salvation, and freedom of mankind. 

"He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood: and His name is called the Word of God."  Rev. 19.:13

We can trust Jesus in all things, the Son, Lamb of God, Word of God, is faithful and true, Thank you Father, Thank you, Jesus, Thank you Holy Spirit.  Amen!