Good Friday, 4/13/01

Hebrews 9:13, 14 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! --NIV

In the name of the One Who offered Himself unblemished to God, amen.

The theme of the book of Hebrews can be stated, "Christ, the greater everything." It shows us very clearly how He is the fulfillment of all the prophecies. The passage quoted above refers to the purification of the people after God gave them the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24). The blood of a sacrifice was sprinkled on the people, and it confirmed the covenant.

But Jesus gave us His blood as the blood of the New Covenant. And, as the people stood before Pilate, they cried out for His blood to be on them and their children. They meant that as a curse, but God meant it as a blessing. He turned that curse into a blessing a few weeks later at Pentecost. It was then that the people repented and were baptized. At that time Christ's blood became a blessing for them. We too have Christ's blood on us, and it purifies us from our sins. Christ is the better sacrifice. Amen.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us Your blood to seal the New Covenant. May Your blood always be on us and our children to cleanse us from our sins, amen.

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