Wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb

The Verse of the Day posted on the Logos Bible Software Home page for February 4, 2023, comes from Leviticus 16:30 (New Living Translation):

³⁰ On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the Lord’s presence from all your sins.

The passage from Leviticus reveals the elaborate purification process given to Moses for the Children of Israel whereby their sins were atoned for or forgiven under the Law or the Old Covenant:

As Hebrews 9:13 reminds us:

Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.

The context related to this verse points out the distinction between the Old Covenant established by the blood sacrifice of animals and the New Covenant implemented through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:13-14 point out this distinction:

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

The reference to the distinctive power inherent in the blood of Jesus Christ brings to mind these original lines related to the color red:

red

red clay red

Adamic dust red

red man

red

yearning

to return to Eden

red

red

blood red

red

yes, Lord, red

Lamb’s blood

red

precious blood

red

blood-stained banner

red

like the crimson flow

that cleanses scarlet sins

and washes white as snow

red

Amen red

red

blood red

As I read the Verse of the Day and related scriptures, I also thought of this original psalm as I personalized the shedding of blood by Jesus Christ on my behalf:

Beyond Hyssop

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 Psalm 51:7

Can any stalks of hyssop purify my leprous soul?

Can they daub with precious lamb’s blood the lintels of this house?

Where are the purgatives to cleanse and balms to me make whole

When the passions of my sinful flesh surface and arouse

My senses with flames rekindled from those carnal embers?

Can I be made clean once more, as I wrestle this body

Of death each day and seek to beat back my mortal members?

Though hyssop may flush my rancid soul of iniquity,

Beyond the strength of this remedy is life-giving blood

Of the Lord Jesus, ultimate, unblemished sacrifice

Sent from the bosom of the Father, who alone is good.

Such a costly prescription is far beyond any price.

Truly this balm in Gilead has healed my wounded soul,

Deeply cleansed me from within, and his blood has made me whole.

Lyrics of the stalwart hymn also remind us “There is power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb,” as Ephesians 2:13 also makes known:

But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

In Hebrews 10:19 we find this exhortation:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

1 John 1:7 also reinforces the message of the purifying presence of the blood of Jesus Christ:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

The context for this section of 1 John chapter 1 is fellowship with God and with fellow believers. Verses 6-10 begin with the conditional clause “if we” followed by a verb: “If we say… if we walk… if we say… if we confess… if we say….” These expressions establish the conditions which if met on our part, will result in a corresponding action on God’s part. These two parts of the conditional sentences are especially noted in 1 John 1:9. If we do our part, which is to confess our sins, our faithful and just God will do His part, for the ‘blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all unrighteousness.” Without question, the blood of Jesus Christ is an amazing spiritual repository of life-generating power.

We conclude with CeCe Winans’ offering in song: “The Blood Medley”:

Power in the blood of Jesus

The Verse of the Day posted on the Logos Bible Software Home page for February 16, 2018 comes from Hebrews 9:22

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

The context related to this verse points out the distinction between the Old Covenant established by blood sacrifice of animals and the New Covenant implemented through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:13-14 points out this distinction:

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

The reference to the distinctive power inherent in the blood of Jesus Christ brings to mind these lines related to the color red:

red

red clay red

Adamic dust red

red man

red

yearning

to return to Eden

red

red

blood red

red

yes, Lord, red

Lamb’s blood

red

precious blood

red

blood-stained banner

red

like the crimson flow

that cleanses scarlet sins

and washes white as snow

red

Amen red

red

blood red

Lyrics of the stalwart hymn also reminds us “There is power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb,” as Ephesians 2:13 also makes known:

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

In Hebrews 10:19 we find this exhortation:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confide1nce to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

1 John 1:7 also reinforces the message of the Verse of the Day

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

The context for this section of 1 John chapter 1 is fellowship with God and with fellow believers. Verses 6-10 begin with the conditional clause “if we” followed by a verb: “If we say…, if we walk…, if we say…, if we confess…, if we say….” These expressions establish the conditions which if met on our part, will result in a corresponding action on God’s part. These two parts of the conditional sentences are especially noted in 1 John 1:9. If we do our part, which is confess our sins, our faithful and just God will do His part, for the “blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all unrighteousness.” Without question, the blood of Jesus Christ is an amazing spiritual repository of life-generating power.

We conclude with CeCe Winans offering in song “The Blood Medley”:

“I plead the blood”–What does it mean?

Recently, while reading a passage from Leviticus, I posted a blog entry related to the ceremonial directives concerning blood under the Old Covenant in contrast to the blood of Jesus Christ under the New Covenant. Included in the discussion was an original psalm expressing what the blood of Jesus Christ means to me. The poem “Beyond Hyssop” was also part of another blog post which I have revised and re-posted here as I introduce the expression “I Plead the Blood” and explain what it means to me:

Beyond Hyssop

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

 

Can any stalks of hyssop purify my leprous soul?

Can they daub with precious lamb’s blood the lintels of this house?

Where are the purgatives to cleanse and balms to me make whole

When the passions of my sinful flesh surface and arouse

My senses with flames rekindled from those carnal embers?

Can I be made clean once more, as I wrestle this body

Of death each day and seek to beat back my mortal members?

Though hyssop may flush my rancid soul of iniquity,

Beyond the strength of this remedy is life-giving blood

Of the Lord Jesus, ultimate, unblemished sacrifice

Sent from the bosom of the Father, who alone is good.

Such a costly prescription is far beyond any price.

Truly this balm in Gilead has healed my wounded soul,

Deeply cleansed me from within, and his blood has made whole.

The poem refers to the “life-giving blood of the Lord Jesus,” and concludes with this statement: “. . . and his blood has made me whole.” As I reflected upon the power, the “wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb,” I recalled an occasion when I was battling the flu and had gone to the doctor. I returned home and immediately went to bed after having taken the prescribed medication. A couple of days later as I began to recover, I learned that a minister from Louisiana was ministering in a nearby city, and I mustered up the strength to go hear him. Fortunately, I went with a group of believers, and I did not have to drive.

The minister, whose name I cannot recall, taught on the blood that Jesus Christ shed and related the seven times that the Lord shed his blood. For me, it was a life-changing message, the principles of which I applied immediately, and subsequently I have come to a greater understanding of what it means to “plead the blood.”

Although that specific term is not used in the Bible, the expression is often used by Christian believers. Dele Oke in an issue of the Living Word discusses “pleading the blood”:

“Pleading the blood simply means applying the blood to our life and circumstances just like the Israelites applied it to their door posts and were protected from the destroyer (Exodus 12).

Pleading the blood is simply the taking hold of the authority and power available to us by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Pastor John Chappell III goes on to explain:

“To ‘Plead the Blood; of Jesus means to appropriate, apply, declare, proclaim, and put your trust in the competed work of His shed Blood. Use whichever words you are comfortable with. However, the expression, “In Jesus’ Name, I plead the Blood” (over family members and others) is powerful.

‘Pleading the Blood’ provides total provision for every need, including protection; divine healing, and financial needs, healing of relationships, inner healing, deliverance, wisdom, and spiritual eyesight.”

The original teaching that I heard inspired this song which captures the essence of the message:

I Plead the Blood

I plead the blood. I plead the blood. I plead the blood over my life.

Jesus bled seven times and shed His blood for me

That I might triumph and walk forth in perfected victory.

I plead the blood.

Refrain:

I plead the blood.

I plead the blood.

I plead the blood over my life.

He freed me from sin and every disease with sweat and blood He shed for me.

I plead the blood.

Repeat Refrain

His face was beaten more than any man so I could sense the presence of God.

I plead the blood.

Repeat Refrain

He cancelled each curse and negative word and banished affliction and strife.

I plead the blood.

Repeat Refrain

Jesus was wounded when they tore His flesh; by His stripes I am truly healed.

I plead the blood.

Repeat Refrain

When they nailed His hands, and He shed His blood, He blessed all the works of my hands.

I plead the blood.

Repeat Refrain

The nails in His feet gave me the victory wherever the soles of my feet shall tread.

I plead the blood.

Repeat Refrain

When they pierced His side, blood and water flowed: God accepted and sent the Paraclete to help.

That’s why I plead the blood.

I plead the blood.

I plead the blood.

I plead the blood over my life.

Jesus bled seven times and shed His blood for me

That I might triumph and walk forth in perfected victory.

I plead the blood.

In looking for a music video to close out this discussion, I discovered this soul-stirring rendition of  “I Plead the Blood” by  the Stephens: