April 2, 2007 – The Necessity of Christ’s Blood – Romans 5:8-11

For someone unfamiliar with the Church, all of our talk about the blood of Christ might seem disturbing. But, apart from His blood, there is no Christianity. As Hebrews 9:22 says, “…without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

God mandated that redemption was available only if our sin was transferred to a perfect substitute. In the Old Testament, an Israelite would lay hands on the head of an unblemished lamb and confess. Then, he presented the animal to a priest for sacrifice. Today, believers are redeemed through forgiveness. But our sacrifice is a sinless Savior who willingly took our guilt and penalty upon Himself.

Every person who accepts Jesus’ death as substitutionary and receives Him as Savior is declared no longer guilty of sin. God condemned the sinful soul to death. But, when He looks upon Jesus’ sacrifice and sees the paid penalty, He declares us righteous. Christ’s shed blood lets us enter God’s presence. We experience unity with Him in prayer, knowing He listens when we speak. The harmony between God and mankind was interrupted in Eden. But it is restored in each new believer.

Through Christ’s blood, believers are forgiven, justified, and reconciled. These words actually describe a simple process. When we accept that a blameless Jesus died to pay our sin penalty, we enter an eternal relationship with God. John 3:16 says Jesus’ sacrifice applies to “whoever believes.” This includes you, if you will just believe. " by Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch

So I'm not sure the above has much to do with my current situation except that it's the second devotional I read this morning about the same thing, and I think it's because this is Easter week. In my family growing up, Easter was anticipated for the same reason Christmas was - we got presents. This particular holiday, we got candy and lots of it. Peeps, gum, and Cadbury Eggs were my personal favorites. Now as an adult, and one who has "redeemed" the holiday in my own heart, I call this my favorite holiday because it's a reminder of the bittersweetness of my life story. I had the blood of guilt on my hands from a life of terrible sin but I've been washed white as snow by the blood of the lamb. The relevance and poignancy of the act Jesus died for me is incredible and I'm a sap for a deeply moving story that changes the way I perceive myself and my world. I love feeling the power, sadness, and ultimate victory of the whole event. Remembering Easter renews my hope, my perspective, and my perseverance.

Father God, thank You for allowing me time this morning to begin my day thinking of You and Your Son. Thanks for settling my mind and heart into the truth of the death and resurrection. My deepest prayer for this Easter Holy Week is that I might draw closer to You with a fresh sense of Your sacrifice and Your love for me. I want to continually gain insights this week into Your character that I might approach Sunday with a gratefulness and love I haven't had since the first Easter after receiving salvation. Let the story of what You did become more intense and meaningful than it ever has been.

And Father, this week we are going to be with family and looking around the location of a possible new future life. Help this all go well, to Your glory. Close and open doors so that we might know Your will, and even if we are discouraged by the shutting of a door, encourage us with a reminder that You are sovereign and Your will (not ours) is really what we want. I love You so much, God. Your surgery is painful, but healing. Keep working on my heart.