There is much support to show power in Jesus’ blood

If someone had told me 47 years ago that I would rejoice and, with great gratitude, sing about blood, I would have laughed him or her to scorn. At that time I did not know that Jesus was the Lamb of God.

Until I was converted, blood was something that I'd seen and touched. High school and college zoology classes openly discussed blood – both its purpose and importance. I had butchered lots of wild game as well as helped my grandfather slaughter pigs and chickens. It was obvious that blood kept things alive and the loss of it caused death.

The Bible refers to blood about 400 times. Long before modern medical science knew the importance of blood God said, “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” (Leviticus 17:11).

Again, in reference to sin, God said that “without shedding of blood is no remission,” (Hebrews 9:22).

John said of Jesus, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” (John 1:29).

And apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:7, “… For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” is what Peter said in 1 Peter 1:18,19.

Jesus said that, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me,” (1 Corinthians 11:25).

Beloved reader, the Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and, “… the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 3:23 and 6:23).

We also read with great joy that, “… having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and “… that God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him,” (Romans 5:1,8,9).

The author of Hebrews, guided by the Holy Spirit, said, “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen,” (Hebrews 13:20,21).

The classic hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” expresses the heart of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb so beautifully:

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

“So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, ’til my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.

“O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

“In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see; for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.

“To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then He'll call me someday to my home far away, where his glory forever I'll share.

“So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, ’til my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.”

Another great hymn is “There is Power in the Blood.”

“Would you be free from the burden of sin? There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood; would you o'er evil a victory win? There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

“There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder working pow'r in the blood – of the Lamb; there is pow'r, pow'r, wonder working pow'r in the precious blood of the Lamb.

“Would you be free from your passion and pride? There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood; Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide? There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

“Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood; Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow; there's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

“Would you do service for Jesus your King? There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood; would you live daily his praises to sing? There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

“There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder working pow'r in the blood – of the Lamb; there is pow'r, pow'r, wonder working pow'r in the precious blood of the Lamb.”

In conclusion, “when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in – that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art.” (verse 3 and part of the chorus of “How Great Thou Art.”)

Precious reader, can you stand before a holy and righteous God with your sins cleansed and forgiven? Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.”

Dave Wolfe is a Wasilla resident.