The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Colossians 1:19-20,
"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [God the Son, Jesus Christ], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
Paul says it was through the blood of Jesus Christ that God has reconciled to himself this lost and fallen world that has gone its own way in rebellion to him. It was through the blood of Jesus Christ that peace was established with those with whom he is pleased, Luke 2:14.
Why did it take blood? And, why the blood of Jesus Christ?
Much is said in Scripture about the blood of Jesus Christ. In Paul's farewell speech to the elders in Ephesus, he reminded them that the church of God had been "bought with his own blood", Acts 20:28. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, to make atonement, was through the shedding of his blood, something God the Father has presented to us for the consideration of our faith. Romans 3:25. Paul tells us it is the blood of Jesus Christ that we have a good standing with God, Romans 5:9. Our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins by God was through the blood of Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19, and it is through the blood of Jesus Christ that we have been brought near God, Ephesians 2:13.
Of the blood of Jesus Christ, the writer of Hebrews says, "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:14. Most importantly the writer tells us, "... without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22. It is because of the blood of Jesus Christ that we have confidence to approach God, Hebrews 10:19 and it is the blood of Jesus Christ that makes us holy, Hebrews 13:12.
John tells us it is the blood of Jesus Christ that "purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7, and frees us from our sins, Revelation 1:5. The twenty-four elders sang a song in heaven that acknowledged Jesus Christ had purchased people for God with his blood, Revelation 5:9. The voice in heaven proclaimed the saints overcame Satan, "triumphed over him" by the blood of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:11.
A very moving depiction of our triumphant King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, is provided us in Revelation 19:11-16, where we are told his robe is "dipped in blood".
God declares to us he is both loving and just, Jeremiah 9:24. Both find expression in his dealings with mankind. In order to express his love toward mankind, God's justice had to be satisfied. God is not to be trifled with and his judgment is horrific. Since Jesus Christ was the lone person on earth who had never sinned, he, and he alone, was qualified to make payment for sin. He tells us that is why he came, "The Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10. When he offered himself on that miserable cross he paid for all the sins of all mankind for all time. Your sins and my sins. It required nothing less than the blood, the very life of the Son of God to make a way for us to eternal life.
I have heard it said, "I won't have anything to do with your bloody religion!" Not me! I know my sin. I know my need. I love the Lord for what he has done for me, to make a way for me to sit at his table. All he asked of me was to trust in him...
What about you?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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