“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.

Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah

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.

Roman Catholic Mass – chalice, wine, crucifix

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.

Painting on a full wall at Calvary Daycare in Charlotte, North Carolina

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

Published April 7, 2020
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They overcame him by of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony - Richard and Carolyn Hyde from Heart of G-d Ministries

Website  |  About Us  |  Music  |  Yeshua Project  |  Living Stones  |   Partner With Us Click above to see photos We have a new number through Sept. 15 while in America: 805-422-6810. Shalom dear Friends and Prayer Partners, Praise the L-rd for the incredible times of ministry in Singapore - we're already praying about when we can return!  The worship and message were well received, especially as I shared how when we made Aliyah, the L-rd asked me, "What do you know about the East?"  "Nothing," I answered.  So He said, "Then I'll give it to you."  I hid this in my heart for years until after meeting Kenneth Khoo, the local director of Christians For Israel who invited us to Singapore last year.   The L-rd brought back the memory of what happened in Israel during the 2000-3 intifada, the terror uprising.  I remember hearing that terrorists justified the intifada because then PM Ariel Sharon went up on the Temple Mount to pray - how malicious to murder Jews for this!  A few years later I heard there was a new age festival in Israel where a speaker led 100's of Israelis in bowing down and worshipping the gods of the East.  Shortly afterward, the intifada began!  We believe this is the reason it began because our G-d is a jealous G-d and He will not share His glory with any others!      So the message for the believers in Singapore was to lead them in a proclamation to help break the curses over Israel and the East by saying, "The gods of the East are no gods at all.  The G-d of Israel is the One true G-d.  Worship Him alone!"  The response was incredible!  Many first generationAsian believers, whose parents had built pagan temples and even dedicated their children to idols, renounced these false gods without hesitation!  Praise G-d for these many testimonies and the blood of the Lamb, where by we overcome the evil one!   Before we left on this journey some difficult things happened to our family and almost caused us to cancel our trip.  Without going into details we thank you all for your love and prayers for healing, restoration, justice and salvation for our family. "They overcame the enemy by of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony" Rev 12:11 Before we left Israel to begin our journey, I needed to hitchhike into Tiberias.  An Orthodox Jewish man kindly picked me up and began speaking to me about Torah.  I'm sure he assumed that I was a secular Jew whom he felt he needed to educate, but when I told him that I read the Parashat ha Shavuah every week, we had a delightful conversation about the weekly Torah portion!   Then he spoke of the increase in ungodliness such as the gay agenda, abortions, etc.  I was in complete agreement with him on bemoaning the prevailing spirit of rebellion in the world today and said that if only our nation would turn to our G-d, Elohai Yisrael, and cry out to Him with all our hearts and follow His Word, we would see His deliverance.  This gentle haredi man wholeheartedly agreed with me on this. Then he said that it doesn't matter to him if a Jew is haredi like himself or secular (like me, he assumed). He said all Orthodox, Conservative and even Reform Jews need to make Aliyah and live as one in the Land of Israel.   Then he did something I've never seen before - he repented before me for the way the Orthodox Jews have treated the secular - wow!  I was so surprised by his humility and I figured that since he was in the mood to repent, I'd give him something else to repent about, so I asked him, "And what about the meshikhim (Jewish believers) who are also Jews and have the right to live in the Land with respect?"  He looked at me with surprise and when I smiled at him, he realized that I was "one of those"!  But he shrugged his shoulders and made one of those classic Israeli facial and hand expressions that declares, "You're right - why not?!" The kindness of G-d leads us to repentance.  Romans 2:4b LIVING STONES EXPERIENCE Please come to our home this fall for worship and Israeli folk dancing then hear how the Spirit of G-d is moving in the Land!  Then enjoy dinner up on our balcony with a magnificent view of the Kineret (Sea of Galilee), Golan and Jordan Valley! Outreach booklets and Worship CD's from Israel! Enjoy!  Download lead sheets here.   Thank you for your faithful prayers as we journey along the southern borders of America through Sept. 16.  Our website Schedule is updated so please check if we're in your area and come join us! We truly thank you for your love, prayers and support as we share the love of Messiah wherever He sends us! Abundant blessings in Yeshua's love, Richard & Carolyn Hyde Heart of G-d Ministries Israel:   PO Box 112, Poriya Kfar Avoda   15220   USA:  PO Box 461546, San Antonio, TX 78246 Canada:  First Century Foundations  * Canadian charitable tax #10780-1771-RR0001 Box 234 * Milton, ON * L9T 4N9 * Canada 1-877-628-2800* www.firstcenturyfoundations.com     I was trying to learn how to say, "How are you?" in Chinese but I must have said something else...

We write L-rd and G-d in this way because it's a Jewish custom that Carolyn grew up with and it's done only out of reverence and honor for the name of the L-rd.  Thanks for understanding.  Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.