Blood of Jesus

What is blood? Blood is the specialized fluid in animals that delivers nutrients and oxygen to cells while removing waste products away from those very cells.  In essence, blood is the life force.  If there is no blood, there is no life. The scripture tells it simply in the book of Leviticus "for it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof."

Jesus came to become an atonement for the sins of mankind.  The book of Hebrews states that "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins."  He bore our sicknesses and diseases upon that cross.  He suffered and endured the pain of the cross for you and me.  He shed His precious blood which flowed from His body as He was tortured by the Roman soldiers, and then again as His side was pierced as He hung on that tree.

Recently, I cut my hand and the blood began to flow, and as the warmth of the blood covered my hand, I was reminded of the blood of Jesus, that so preciously covers us in entirety. Thank you for Your precious blood Lord Jesus, that covers a multitude of sins. Thank you for Your blood that heals and restores. Thank you for Your precious blood that makes me whole. Thank you for Your blood which makes me an overcomer.

"And they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." Revelation 12:11

Passion of the Christ

Today when I got home from work, I turned on the television to find that the movie The Passion of the Christ was on. It usually is on television around this time of the year, since Easter is right around the corner. So of course, I had to sit and watch, and as I did, it was though I was watching it for the first time. I saw it when it first came out in the theaters, and it was moving then just as it was today. This movie is probably the best depiction of the crucifixion that I have ever seen. What I love about this movie is the fact that they portrayed a strong Jesus.

Too many movies depict Christ as meek, when in fact He is the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace, the Alpha and the Omega, most of all He is the King of Kings. Remember in the gospels, Jesus went into the temple and overturned tables, drove out the money changers and declared to all that His house is a house of prayer. We serve a powerful God, not one who is weak and crucified, but One who endured the punishment of the cross with strength and love. He is a risen savior who is seated in the heavens, waiting for the opportunity to receive us into His arms.

As I watched the Passion of the Christ today, it renewed and helped to strengthen my faith even more.  I cried like a baby as I saw the punishment that Jesus went through for me.  The movie did a great job, but, I imagine the pain that Jesus endured was far more than any movie could depict. I recommend watching this movie at least once a year to help you keep your eyes focused on Jesus and what He did for us. May the Lord bless you and keep you this Easter holiday.

You Are Priceless

When we think of value, many things come to mind. Someone reading this may envision a priceless work of art, while another may think of a piece of real estate. To a child it may be the coins in the piggy bank to buy that new toy.  A college student may see value as the quality of education being received for the tuition being paid.  To a bride it may be the sentiment of the wedding dress, or the jewelry that she adorns, that has been passed down through generations.  To an investment broker on Wall Street, it may be the assets within the portfolio.  Someone facing retirement may see value as the quality of life that will be lived on his or her pension.  A pastor may see value as a set of beliefs, or even a doctrine.  

The value of someone or something depends on the perception of others and how the object is esteemed.  In other words, what is it worth to the beholder?  Or, what is the price that someone is willing to pay for the object or ideology of value?  As Americans, we know the price that was and is always being paid for our freedom.  The men and women of the armed forces, who have paid the ultimate price for a land they love so dearly, have enabled the rest of us to live in the land of the free.

As a believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we know the value that God the Father put on us.  He sees mankind through a special pair of glasses, much like a jeweler who determined the worth of a diamond.  As the jeweler holds the diamond and spins it around, he looks through that scope to see the formation of the gem before he determines the value.  God looks at us and says "I think I outdid myself with this one." "This one is of the highest quality, it's unique, it's priceless."

The value that God has placed on you and I, is one that cannot be measured by earthly standards.  We don't have a number system complex enough to count that high.  The greatest super computers computing for a million years couldn't figure out that value.  All the gems and minerals in the universe wouldn't equal a fraction's worth.  When God says "priceless," He means it.  That is why we were not redeemed by anything corruptible.  We were redeemed by the highest quality possible, the blood of Jesus.  The blood of Jesus covers all believers who accept Christ into their hearts, so when God looks at us, He sees His son Jesus and calls us "priceless."

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