READING: Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 9
“How much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?”
Hebrews 9:14
Today, I’m admitting my age as I write this devotion. I read the words about the New Covenant in Hebrews 9, and the Bible makes me want to sing. I want to sing songs I sang years ago like, “There is a Fountain,” “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” “There’s Power in the Blood,” “Are You Washed in the Blood?”, and “Nothing but the Blood.” Some of the songs may not appeal to a younger generation (and to be honest, I might prefer a more modern version of the same songs), but the words are reminders to me of the significance and power of the blood of Jesus.
His is not the blood of “goats and bulls”; it’s the “blood of the Messiah” (Heb. 9:13-14), His own blood through which we have redemption. Jesus Christ “offered Himself to without blemish to God,” and through His death He cleanses our conscience (Heb. 9:14). His is not the sacrifice that must be offered over and over again, as the high priests had to do; instead, He offered Himself once “to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28). “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22), but the blood of the Lamb has indeed been shed on our behalf.
Again, I’m reminded of these words that echo in my head today: He “offered Himself.” He was not an unsuspecting animal led to the slaughter; He was the Son of God who made the deliberate choice to follow the will of the Father all the way to the cross. There, He gave His life for people like me who struggle giving all of our lives to Him. He shed His blood for me while I was yet a sinner (Rom. 5:8).
That’s a story worth singing!
ACTION STEPS:
- If your church shares the Lord’s Supper today, be sure to meditate deeply on the blood of Christ.
- Sing His praises today, perhaps by singing the songs included in this devotion.
PRAYER: “Thank You, Jesus, for being the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Lamentations 1-2, Hebrews 10:1-18
