“The Blood of Jesus” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin
April 9, 2020 Love For His People in Charlotte, NC USA
“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”
Revelation 12:11, NASU
Growing up in the Roman Catholic Church and going to Mass more than just the required Sunday morning, or later to the scheduled Saturday night option, tended to de-sensitize my mind, soul, and spirit to the true meaning, and purpose, of the Eucharist, or more commonly known as communion. Some call it the Last Supper, when in fact it is the Jewish Passover celebration.
I was missing the revelation that Jesus (Yeshua) wanted to give to all at His last Passover on earth, starting with His Jewish disciples. As instructed, they had gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem on Mount Zion, next to Mount Moriah, a short distance from where Abraham had also gone centuries before in obedience to God, to sacrifice Isaac upon the altar. This was a foretaste of the Father sacrificing His Only Begotten Son.
Try as I might, I had a real hard time believing that when we were given the host communion wafer that it had been transformed into His Body, which Catholics call the transubstantiation. What originally was matzah bread, or unleavened bread in Jesus’ day and even today in Jewish and believing homes, the concept escaped me. Even when dipped in the wine cup by the ordained, celebrate priest, rather than sharing the cup of the fruit of the vine as then, this whole idea of Jesus’ Body and Blood, broken and shed for all of us, remained unclear and uncertain.
During the growing years at my elementary grade school at St. Patrick’s in Cedar Falls, Iowa, as the altar boy dressed in the black and white and catching a few hosts that on occasion were about to drop onto the floor when it missed the kneeling, or standing, recipient’s tongue (good thing we had the golden platter with the handle attached to catch it) it still didn’t help in understanding the reverence of the moment. It seemed though many did grasp this understanding, judging by the solemn look on their face when receiving, I certainly did not.
For many years following, as I became a member of several Protestant churches as the years went by, where having communion wasn’t the main center point of the church service, and less shared given the weeks or months that would pass without it, my heart still wasn’t quite there.
The revelation of the body and blood of Jesus just hadn’t reached me yet. Even now, on my way to the 7th decade of life, there must be something more than what my mind has yet to realize.
It truly is a thing yet to be grasped. For me at least. Our finite minds cannot grasp the full measure of what the Lord had done beginning at that Passover, and continuing on through the crucifixion that followed, at least on this side of heaven. It truly is a matter of faith, believing that which we cannot see, but what we know in our hearts is the truth.
But as I continue to contemplate the cruelty of the crucifixion, the scourging that Yeshua’s body was given with the severe beating, and whipping to the point of what was believed to be one less swing that would have brought death at any moment (being He received 39 out of the 40 lashes that typically brought death), my heart begins to beat fast with grief, but also with thanksgiving.
O the love of Jesus, to do what He had done. For you and for me.
As Jesus Himself said to the disciples, He could have called on multitudes of angels to deliver Him from the Roman death sentence, but He didn’t.
He could have walked away from the death ahead, and live for Himself, but He didn’t.
He could have said, “Let this cup pass from Me, Father. I will not go through with this.” But He didn’t.
He gave Himself for us. He would let His precious blood flow, the saving blood that carried the forgiveness needed for all of mankind, for the redemption of the world.
He had come to save the world, and being He Alone was the perfect sacrificial Lamb, the Passover Lamb, the One without spot or wrinkles as the Just and Holy God the Father demanded because of His holiness, Yeshua the Messiah completed the mission He had come to accomplish.
The Blood of Jesus, as the hymns of old were so properly versed, is the only solution that can wash away our sin. (“Nothing But the Blood”, Robert Lowry 1876)
We are now called to be “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrew 12:2, NKJV
Throughout the year, and not just during Passover or Good Friday when all this is more prominent and in the forefront, we must meditate on the life given for us, that life being of His laid down, when He shed His blood for you and me.
My prayer for you and me is for a fuller revelation of what it cost Yeshua when He gave His redeeming Blood, poured out for us. I am convinced that when more revelation does come, the Power in His blood that flows will further propel us into the glorious mission He has given to us, to take the Good News to the ends of the earth, preaching and teaching with all boldness, assurance, and understanding.
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus saves.
Thank You, Lord, for giving us Your Blood. The Blood of Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach, Who is the Savior of the world.
Now think on this.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Founder/President Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. This being my 500th Now Think of This, having the first one written and published in 2013 (now for the 7th year!), it is quite appropriate that it is centered on the One Who gave His all, and continues to reach out to us, drawing us after Him. Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, the Living God of Israel, the soon returning King.
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Now Think On This #500 – in the year of our Lord 04.09.2020 – “The Blood of Jesus” – Thursday, during Passover, 5:33 am in Charlotte, NC USA
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