Praise Reflection (29 July) – The Blood of Jesus: the Life is in the Blood

“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” ( Leviticus 17:11)

“… because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”(Leviticus 17:14)

The life of a creature is in the blood.

In Genesis after his murder, Abel’s blood cries out from the ground:

“The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10)

All living creatures by necessity have blood flowing in them to have life. It is remarkable that the holy GOD would become human so that he had blood flowing through him. What a sacrifice it was for Jesus to become flesh and blood! That thought leads us to acknowledge what an amazing love sacrifice it was for Jesus to shed his blood for us. His life was in the blood. We had no hope without the shedding of Jesus’ blood for us.

1 Peter 1:18-19

“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.”

Hebrews 12:24

“… to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

SONG

Leeland – Better Word (Official Live Video)

Link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgYFwFemB0

Hebrews 9:22

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Reflect and Respond

When we ponder on the words that “the life … is in the blood”, we remember that in the shedding of his blood that brought about Jesus’ death – we gained eternal life.

  1. Are we aware that his life is now flowing in us?

The value of the blood corresponds to the value of the life that is in it.  Leviticus chapter 4:3,14, and 27 gives some scale to indicate the value of the lives of different animals: “the life of a sheep or goat is of less value that the life of an ox …” The value of the life of a human is more valuable than that of sheep and oxen.

  1. How do you value the life of Jesus who offered himself on the cross?
  2. What value do you place on the power of the blood of Jesus?

Romans 3:25a

The blood availed powerfully with God: “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith”.

Song

Nothing But The Blood of Jesus – Hillsong

Link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwxoOwzJDYg

  1. When we read Jesus’ words below in John chapter 6 how do the words: “the life… is in the blood” and “unless … drink of my blood you have no life in you” add understanding and value to your sharing in Holy Communion?

John 6:53-56

“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”

Prayer

We praise you Lord Jesus that you became human so that you had blood flowing through you. Jesus you didn’t need to do that, but the truth is that you did it for a purpose – your perfect sacrifice. Thank you.

We praise you that your sacrifice came from a place of holy obedience to Father’s will.

We praise you Lord Jesus that your blood was, and is, of infinite value for it carried your life in it.

We praise you Lord Jesus that your blood gave, and sealed, an everlasting covenant with God, opening heaven, cleansing sin and defeating evil.

We praise and thank you Jesus that your blood speaks a better word, overcoming the power of death and bringing life – life eternal.

In Jesus name. Amen.

You are encouraged to use this Reflection daily over the week, lingering in it and letting the words of Scripture touch more and more deeply.

Praise Resources from The International Anglican Order of The Cross (TIAOC) July 2020
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