Today we live in a time of many anemic congregations. What is causing the lack of energy, charisma and influence that is associated with many in the church today? The most common reason that I see is the lack of “complete” truth coming forth from the pulpits of many mainstream churches and televangelists. Today most people seek after what I call a “fast food gospel.” We pick and choose what we want to hear, selectively choosing what part of God’s Word to apply in our lives. If it does not tickle our fancy or sound appealing, we dismiss it completely. One of the biggest subjects absent in many churches today is the preaching of Christ crucified.
Blood is often characterized by horror, violence and death in today’s society. When the church brings up blood, most people immediately distance themselves, repulsed by the term. How horrible is this fact? The reality is that there is life (that is eternal) that is only found in the blood of Jesus.
We must remember that the church is not an institution; it is a body, a living organism. Every living organism is considered alive until the blood that powers it ceases to flow. This is no different with the Church. The moment we quit speaking of the power in Christ’s blood and it quits flowing forth from our congregations, we begin falling into an anemic state.
We must understand the vital importance of the blood that was spent on Calvary’s hill, for in it our salvation is found. If we turn to the Bible we can find many examples of why we need Christ’s blood. As we begin to understand these terms we can truly begin to worship and proclaim more than just Christ’s resurrection, but also His glorious atonement!
- Propitiation or Satisfaction. The blood of Christ immersed us in God’s grace and mercy; it satisfied the judgment of God that every person deserves to face. Rom 3:25 states, “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished”
- Redemption. This means to be purchased, or acquired with a ransom. What were you bought from? Death! What was the price? The precious blood of Christ! Rev 5:9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”
- Remission. This means the cancellation of a debt; freedom from sin! Christ’s blood freed you from sin. You are no longer bound to that which separated you from Him. Matthew 26:28 states, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
- Reconciliation. Reconciliation is the restoring of a relationship. The blood of Jesus dissolved the wall that separated the intimacy of relationship that believers could have with Him once again. Eph 2:13-14 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”
- Justification. The blood covers you and makes you righteous in the eyes of God; this is known as being justified in His eyes. Rom 5:8-9 tells us, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”
- Peace. The blood poured on the cross provides the greatest peace for the believer. For in it lies the blessed assurance of eternity for all who have turned to Christ. Col 1:20 affirms, “And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
- Entrance. The blood of Christ is the only ticket by which every believer has gained entrance into Heaven. Heb 10:19 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus”
- Cleanses. The cleansing power of the blood is like a mighty river that flows. As you are placed in a mighty river water rushes past you removing debris and dirt from your body. This is how Christ’s blood works; it is the most pure of all substances, and as it rushes over you, your sins are removed from as far as the east is from the west. 1 John 1:7 “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 cleanses us from all sin.”
May the lyrics, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus,” ring inside our hearts and pour from out our mouths! May we never forget Christ crucified; for on the cross of Calvary met God’s wrath with His mercy!
