The Red Scarf - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The Red Scarf

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

"…then how much more the blood of the Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14, Complete Jewish Bible)

When my Charleston sister Mary requested a photo I had taken in Ireland in May 2018, of her wearing a red scarf as we walked the Dublin city park, the Holy Spirit quickened me to write about the blood. The red blood that flowed from the Savior’s body. For us.

Walking with the red scarf.

The red blood that saves us from our sin.

Remember the Christian hymn (so ancient by some terms these days) we used to sing in church? “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” (Robert Lowry (1826-1899 – See below for the full lyrics from 1876.)

How many still believe in the blood of Jesus? How many still believe in sin? If there is no sin, then why the big deal about the blood? Some would say there is no longer any need to preach about the blood of the Messiah, to teach about the necessity of His sacrificial death on the Roman cross, that rugged tree.

Does it matter what others would say about something they have dismissed, to do away with “sin”, “guilt”, “shame”, “forgiveness”? If there is no God, then it would not matter.

But because there is the One and True God, then it most certainly does. To use a now worn out cliché’ in another way, “Sin matters.”

To put this in simple terms, we needed a restoration, a redemption, a way to return to the Creator of all life, the One Who sets the rules. Because of sin committed back in the Garden of Eden (and yes, Adam and Eve really did exist) there became a separation from God the Father for all mankind. But down through the many centuries He patiently and consistently revealed, first to the Jews, and then the Gentiles, how to get that relationship restored.

There must be a cleansing from the wrong. There had to be Someone to become the Passover lamb, the one who knew no sin, to fulfill the requirement that the Holy God had properly put in place. Only the Son of God, Yeshua, met that established law, and only He could fulfill the prophetic promises of His coming with exactness. Only He could meet the requirements of perfection, to bring about the forgiveness of sin.

It was sin that removed us from God the Father, being His Holiness does not permit sin in His presence. It was the unblemished blood that could bring us back. Only the blood of the Messiah would meet that requirement. Without spot. Without blemish. The Perfect Lamb of God. He was the substitution for us, to forever cover the sin that would have kept us from the eternal relationship God the Father so desires with us, His creation.

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:17-21, NKJV)

For those of us who believe, who have repented and received Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf, in order for us to be restored to God the Father, for eternity we will give thanks.

For those who have yet to acknowledge that their sin has separated them from God, and can only be forgiven when they call on the Name of Yeshua (Jesus), may your heart be opened to the truth, and may you too receive the gift of eternal life that comes only through confessing and believing.

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-13, NKJV)

A new year lies ahead of us. It would be best if you walk with God, and let Him bring the restoration before you can begin to know what life is all about, including the plans and purposes He has for you.

As for the red scarf, may it be a reminder for all of us that His shed blood covers us, and allows us to have full relationship with God our Father, His Only Begotten Son, and Holy Spirit too.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. Want an adventure walking on short adventures? Check this out: "Walk With Me" video series with Steve Martin.

Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, out this November. Paperback or Kindle versions. My 19^th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!) Buy here on Amazon: Adventures in Courage

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Now Think On This #378 - in the year of our Lord 12.29.18 – “The Red Scarf” - Saturday, 6:30 am

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD

1.    What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

o    Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2.    For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

3.    Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

4.    This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

5.    Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

6.    Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Robert Lowry, pub.1876 copyright status is Public Domain