O, the Blood...It Is My Victory!

Reflecting on this Good Friday...O, the blood!

I feel so blessed that God has given me the high honor of being mom to Ben, Callie, and Caleb! When I look at each one of them I just sit in awe that God chose me to be their mom! Thank you sweet Lord for the blessing of children, especially these precious three that you entrusted to Matt and me. As a parent, I laugh when they laugh and hurt when they hurt. The unknown that we went through with Caleb's health issues a few years ago was one of those painful times as a parent. It broke my heart to see him having to go through so many tests but at the same time, his sweet spirit blessed my heart. As I sat and held Caleb on my lap one day during lab work, tears rolled down his little face as they once again stuck that big needle in his arm to draw blood. There was so much that hinged on his blood and many things would be revealed. I prayed the whole time as I watched each vial fill up with my precious son’s blood. O, the blood!

As we rode home from the UNC Children's Hospital that night, my thoughts turned to the foot of the cross. Mary watched as her son shed his blood for ALL! The pain Mary must have gone through as she watched her beloved Son’s blood run out of his body is overwhelming. That precious blood is the blood that washes clean! She knew his will but had to watch her son in great agony. As Jesus carried his cross up to Calvary through the crowds of people as they shouted at him, did they not realize that with every drop of blood, that blood is the very blood shed for them? His love for us, for me, is the reason he shed his blood. Never again will we have to be slave to our sin. He paid the price with his blood.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Ephesians 1:7-8

O, the blood! Precious blood! Today, as we reflect on this Good Friday, do we understand just what that precious blood did for us? There are many today that have heard the story of Jesus on the cross. They have heard the story of his shed blood, but do they understand the depth of love that was in the shedding of that blood? He carried the sins of us all on that cross and HIS blood washed them clean.

“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. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

I Peter 1:18-21

Today, the words of this song will stay on my lips:

O the blood of Jesus washes me,

O the blood of Jesus shed for me,

What a sacrifice, that saved my life,

Yes, the blood, it is my victory!

He shed HIS blood for you and me. Then, at that moment, he bowed his head and said, "It is finished." Our victory!

Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:30 (NIV)

Thank you Jesus, for your blood! It is because of that sacrifice of your shed blood, your life, that I can truly live and have hope. My heart is overwhelmed by this great love! You paid the ultimate price for me, for all, and the very thought of that brings me to my knees. This is a good Friday indeed! You paid it all for ME! The blood, your blood, it is my victory!

Allison