May 17, 2022
The Power of His Blood
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV).
Friend to Friend
I grew up in a small country church that loved to sing hymns. One of my favorite hymns was “Power in the Blood.” When that hymn was sung, it seemed like the whole auditorium was filled with God’s power and His presence became more evident.
Blood is mentioned 460 times in the Bible. Fourteen times in the New Testament Jesus spoke of His own blood. Why? Because by the shedding of His blood, He made the possibility of our salvation a reality. He paid the penalty for our sin and redeemed us.
The penalty for our sin and rebellion is death, but Jesus stepped out and said, “I’ll take that death.” He voluntarily laid down His life and took the penalty we deserve. That’s what the cross is all about.
God not only forgives the past, but He also clothes us in righteousness as though we had never committed a sin. The price? The death of His Son on the cross.
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV).
When we surrender our lives to Him, we are forever covered by His blood. And the authority of His blood is powerful.
The blood of Jesus Christ provides forgiveness of our sins. “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22 NIV).
The blood of Jesus Christ gives us life. “Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, you must eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood. Otherwise, you won’t have real life in you’” (John 6:53, NCV.)
The blood of Jesus Christ allows us to approach God. “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV).
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 NIV).
The blood of Jesus Christ enables us to overcome the devil and his works. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11 NIV).
I was recently studying Psalm 23 when I came across a story that describes the power of Jesus’ blood in a beautiful way.
“A rattlesnake bit one of my sheep in the face about a week ago. Deadliest snake that lives around here. The sheep’s face swelled up and hurt her terribly.
But the old rattlesnake didn’t know the kind of blood that flows through the sheep. Anti-venom is most often made from a sheep’s blood. The sheep swelled for about two days, but the blood of the lamb destroyed the venom of the serpent.
I was worried, but the sheep didn’t care. She kept on eating, kept on drinking, and kept on climbing because she knew she was alright.”
While it is true that the serpents of this life will often reach out and bite us, it is just as true that their poison cannot overcome the blood of Jesus Christ. Don’t worry about the serpent or his bite. Just make sure that the Lamb’s blood is flowing through your veins.
Let’s Pray
Father, thank You for taking my place on the cross. I cannot understand that kind of love, but I am so thankful you were willing to pay the price my sin requires. Please help me to live each day in the shadow of the cross. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What does the blood of Jesus mean to you personally? Take some time today to think about the death of Jesus on a cruel cross and how His death impacts your life.
More from the Girlfriends
Do you need help learning to trust God? We often think that stepping out in obedience requires a level of faith we deem unreachable. It’s not. As we learn to trust God, our faith will grow and strengthen. Check out Mary’s book, 10 Day Trust Adventure, for ways to grow in your faith and learn to fully trust God.
New! Mary’s heart is to train and coach women in ministry. Be sure to check out her new Zoom coaching ministry, Friends for the Journey.
© 2022 by Mary Southerland. All rights reserved.
Originally published Tuesday, 17 May 2022.
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