Tag Archives: blood of jesus

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Scars of New Creation

April 2, 2015 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

One of the most terrifying and deeply troubling news stories for me of the past few years has been one that has escaped broad notice by the Western media. It is the story of extreme and widespread violence against women in Eastern Congo. Raped and tortured by warring factions in their country, women are the victims of the most horrific crimes. As one journalist reported, “Many have been so sadistically attacked from the inside out, butchered by bayonets and assaulted with chunks of wood, that their reproductive and digestive systems are beyond repair.”(1) They bear their wounds in their own bodies, permanent scars of violence and oppression.

In this holiest week for Christians around the world, the broken and wounded body of Jesus is commemorated in services of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The broken body and spilled blood of Jesus is remembered in the symbols of bread and wine on Maundy Thursday, and in the black draping of curtains and cloths on Good Friday. Jesus suffered violence in his own body, just as many do around the world today.

Even as Christian mourning turns to joy with Easter resurrection celebrations, it is important to note that Jesus bore the wounds of violence and oppression in his body—even after his resurrection. When he appeared to his disciples, according to John’s gospel, Jesus showed them “both his hands and his side” as a means by which to identify himself to them. Indeed, the text tells us that once the disciples took in these visible wounds “they rejoiced when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20).

The resurrection body of Jesus contained the scars from nail and sword, and these scars identified Jesus to his followers. And yet, the wounds of Jesus took on new significance in light of his resurrection. While still reminders of the violence of crucifixion his wound-marked resurrection body demonstrates God’s power over evil and death.

But his wounds reveal something else. God’s work of resurrection—indeed of new creation—begins in our wounded world. His resurrection is not a disembodied spiritual reality for life after the grave; it bears the marks of his wounded life here and now, yet with new significance.

N.T. Wright, who has written extensively on the central importance of Christ’s bodily resurrection for Christians, says it this way:

“The resurrection of Jesus means that the present time is shot through with great significance….Acts of justice and mercy, the creation of beauty and the celebration of truth, deeds of love and the creation of communities of kindness and forgiveness—these all matter, and they matter forever. Take away the resurrection, and these things are important for the present but irrelevant for the future and hence not all that important after all even now. Enfolded in this vocation to build now, with gold, silver, and precious stones, the things that will last into God’s new age, is the vocation to holiness: to the fully human life, reflecting the image of God, that is made possible by Jesus’ victory on the cross and that is energized by the Spirit of the risen Jesus present within communities and persons.”(3)

Indeed, Paul’s great exposition of the resurrection of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15 ends by reminding the Corinthians, “Therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” The point of the resurrection is to demonstrate that entropy and death do not have the final word—either for humans or for God’s creation. God’s last word is resurrection in the midst of our human, often-wounded lives now.

The reality of the resurrection marked by the wounds of Jesus can bring this kind of hope and this kind of joy of new creation even into the darkest places. The reality of the bodily resurrection also compels a response from those who live in its light. We work and we toil, and perhaps even pour out our blood, sweat, and tears to tend the wounds of others. The hope of the resurrection reminds us that our labor is far from in vain for Christ has gone ahead of us. We bear the scars of toil even as we bear the image of resurrection reality in this world. We bear them as new creation, remembering that Jesus continued to wear his scars as part of his resurrected life.

The visible wounds of Jesus after his resurrection also bring hope in the midst of our suffering. Even our suffering does not have to be in vain. Many women in the Congo, despite all their horrific suffering, seem to understand this. Behind the Panzi Hospital that treats the majority of these rape cases, a new center of refuge called “City of Joy” is being built. It will be a place of long-term healing and refuge for women who have been victimized and abused in Eastern Congo. Many of the women, who carry the cement for the building on their heads, were themselves victims of these crimes. Their wounds still visible on their bodies, they are building a city of joy.(4)

Margaret Manning Shull is a member of the speaking and writing team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Bellingham, Washington.

(1) Jeffrey Gettleman, “Rape Epidemic Raises Trauma of Congo War,” New York Times, October 7, 2007.

(2) Artwork in this article is the work of Ben Roberts, http://www.benrobertsphoto.com, used by permission.

(3) N.T. Wright and Marcus Borg, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions (New York: HarperCollins, 1999), 126-127.

(4) Nicholas D. Kristof, “What Are You Carrying?” New York Times video blog, March 8, 2010.

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – The remembrance of Christ

October 1, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“This do in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Suggested Further Reading: Luke 22:14-20

Our Saviour was wiser than all our teachers, and his remembrancers are true and real aids to memory. His love tokens have an unmistakable language, and they sweetly win our attention. Behold the whole mystery of the Lord’s table. It is bread and wine which are lively emblems of the body and blood of Jesus. The power to excite remembrance consists in the appeal thus made to the senses. Here the eye, the hand, the mouth find joyful work. The bread is tasted, and entering within, works upon the sense of taste, which is one of the most powerful. The wine is sipped—the act is palpable; we know that we are drinking, and thus the senses, which are usually clogs to the soul, become wings to lift the mind in contemplation. Again, much of the influence of this ordinance is found in its simplicity. How beautifully simple the ceremony is—bread broken and wine poured out. There is no calling that thing a chalice, that thing a paten, and that a host. Here is nothing to burden the memory—here is the simple bread and wine. He must have no memory at all who cannot remember that he has eaten bread, and that he has been drinking wine. Note again, the deep relevance of these signs—how full they are of meaning. Bread broken—so was your Saviour broken. Bread to be eaten—so his flesh is meat indeed. Wine poured out, the pressed juice of the grape—so was your Saviour crushed under the foot of divine justice: his blood is your sweetest wine. Wine to cheer your heart—so does the blood of Jesus. Wine to strengthen and invigorate you—so does the blood of the mighty sacrifice.

For meditation: We forget him when we absent ourselves from his table without good cause; we forget him when we attend the Communion Service as an optional add-on. “Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:8).

Sermon no. 2

1 October (Preached 7 January 1855)

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Precious Blood of Jesus: Why It Matters

April 21, 2014 broboinhawaii 1 Comment

1 Peter 1:17-19

What do you consider precious? Perhaps it’s an heirloom that not only is costly but also has sentimental value. Or maybe your first thought is your family—the ones you love the most. Other possibilities may include your salvation, the Bible, or your church family, but if you’re truly honest, the blood of Jesus probably didn’t make the list.

Today’s Christian culture desires a sanitized version of salvation. We talk about the grace and forgiveness of God and sing about His love for us, but rarely do we mention the blood of Jesus. Yet that is the only basis for our salvation. Because the Lord is righteous and just, He cannot love sinners into heaven or forgive them simply because they ask. Every sin that has ever been committed must receive a just punishment, and the penalty for sin is death (Rom. 6:23).

The Lord had only two options in dealing with fallen humanity. He could let the course of justice lead to the condemnation of all mankind, or He could provide a substitute to pay the penalty for everyone. However, this substitute had to be sinless (Deut. 17:1). The only way to rescue us from eternal separation in hell was to send His beloved Son to earth as the God-Man who would live a perfect life and die in our place.

The blood that poured from Christ’s wounds bought your salvation. If you want to truly value what He did, think of Him hanging on that cross just for you. With that thought in your mind, consider how you should live. He gave Himself freely for you; are you giving yourself fully to Him?

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – The remembrance of Christ

October 1, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“This do in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Suggested Further Reading: Luke 22:14-20

Sermon no. 2

1 October (Preached 7 January 1855)

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – The duty of remembering the poor

September 24, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” Galatians 2:10

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Fully Persuaded

August 31, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Only certain people have direct access to the President of the United States. He guards his privacy and is approachable only on his own terms. But you can draw near to the Lord – who is far greater in every way – with only an uplift of your eyes. It’s a wonderful right of entry that cannot be denied to you as a believer. But do you understand what all of this means?

We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19

Think of Jesus’ relationship to His disciples. He was their Master. And yet, right before He went to the cross, He washed their feet. Christ was humble; He had no identity crisis. He knew exactly who He was and where He was going…He knew His purpose on Earth. His humility that night and throughout His life was born of this confidence.

Thirty-one times the New Testament speaks of the confidence you can have…the freedom and the boldness given to you in your relationship through Jesus. Be fully persuaded that you have access to the Lord at any time.

Therefore, let your prayers ascend to Him with intercessions for this nation, for your family and for yourself to have the courage to do and be that which the Lord asks of you.

Joyce Meyer – Waiting on His Goodness

June 25, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.

– Proverbs 28:1

One of the main reasons people do not pray and that they are reluctant to ask God for what they need and want is that they do not feel worthy. They do not feel good about themselves; they do not feel that they are spiritual enough, so they don’t believe God would listen to them anyway. We all make mistakes and when we do we should receive God’s forgiveness and mercy, which allows His blessings to flow even when we have made mistakes.

When we talk to God and make requests of Him, we must understand our position as sons and daughters of God who are made righteous through the blood of Jesus. Otherwise, we may not hear His voice clearly or perceive His answers accurately. You see, we so often think our righteousness is based on doing things “right”—saying the “right” words, behaving the “right” ways, or having the “right” attitude. The truth is that we cannot make ourselves righteous. We can make ourselves religious, but we cannot make ourselves righteous. True biblical righteousness is not based on what we do right, but it is based on what Jesus did for us. His righteousness becomes ours by faith, and once we believe that, then we progressively display more and more right behavior. But, we must always remember that God answers our prayers because He is good, not because we are. We can approach Him boldly in prayer and expect to hear from Him daily.

God’s word for you today: God will turn your mistakes into miracles if you trust Him and pray boldly.

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Greg Laurie – The Overcomers

May 23, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh. —Hebrews 10:19–20

How do we overcome the devil? In the book of Revelation we are introduced to a group of believers who are able to do that: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelation 12:11)

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. The next time the devil tempts you to think that you are not worthy to approach God, here is what I advise: Agree. Say, “You are right. I am not worthy to approach God. I never was worthy to approach God. I never will be worthy to approach God. My access to God’s presence is not based on my worthiness, it is based on what Christ did for me on the cross.”

Sometimes we get into the mentality as Christians that if we are doing well spiritually, then we can approach God in prayer. If we get up in the morning, read four chapters from the Bible, give thanks for our meals, and share our faith with someone, then we think we can approach God. But if the next day we sleep in and don’t read the Bible, if we forgot to say grace over our meals and didn’t share our faith, then we think we are not worthy to approach Him.

While doing those things is important, the point I am making is this: Your access to God is there unconditionally. If you have done well, then great. Approach God. But if you have sinned, then approach God and say, “Lord, I have sinned. This is why I need the blood of the Lamb.”

The devil always will try to keep you away from the Cross. But the Holy Spirit always will bring you to it.

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Alistair Begg – Follow Rahab’s Example

April 18, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

She tied the scarlet cord in the window.

Joshua 2:21

Rahab depended for her preservation upon the promise of the spies, whom she regarded as the representatives of the God of Israel. Her faith was simple and firm, but it was very obedient. To tie the scarlet cord in the window was a very trivial act in itself, but she dared not run the risk of omitting it.

Come, my soul, is there not here a lesson for you? Have you been attentive to all your Lord’s will, even though some of His commands should seem nonessential? Have you observed in His own way the two ordinances of believers’ baptism and the Lord’s Supper? To neglect these is to display the unloving disobedience in your heart. From now on be blameless in everything, even the tying of a thread, if that is what’s commanded.

This act of Rahab provides an even more solemn lesson. Have I implicitly trusted in the precious blood of Jesus? Have I tied the scarlet cord, with an intricate knot in my window, so that my trust can never be removed? Or can I look out toward the Dead Sea of my sins or the Jerusalem of my hopes without seeing the blood and seeing all things in connection with its blessed power?

The passer-by can see a cord of such a conspicuous color if it hangs from the window: It will be good for me if my life makes the efficacy of the atonement conspicuous to all onlookers. What is there to be ashamed of? Let men or devils gaze if they want, the blood is my boast and my song.

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Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

January 27, 2013 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Morning “And of his fulness have all we received.” / John 1:16

These words tell us that there is a fulness in Christ. There is a fulness of

essential Deity, for “in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead.” There

is a fulness of perfect manhood, for in him, bodily, that Godhead was

revealed. There is a fulness of atoning efficacy in his blood, for “the blood

of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” There is a fulness of

justifying righteousness in his life, for “there is therefore now no

condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” There is a fulness of divine

prevalence in his plea, for “He is able to save to the uttermost them that

come unto God by him; seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

There is a fulness of victory in his death, for through death he destroyed him

that had the power of death, that is the devil. There is a fulness of efficacy

in his resurrection from the dead, for by it “we are begotten again unto a

lively hope.” There is a fulness of triumph in his ascension, for “when he

ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and received gifts for men.”

There is a fulness of blessings of every sort and shape; a fulness of grace to

pardon, of grace to regenerate, of grace to sanctify, of grace to preserve,

and of grace to perfect. There is a fulness at all times; a fulness of comfort

in affliction; a fulness of guidance in prosperity. A fulness of every divine

attribute, of wisdom, of power, of love; a fulness which it were impossible to

survey, much less to explore. “It pleased the Father that in him should all

fulness dwell.” Oh, what a fulness must this be of which all receive! Fulness,

indeed, must there be when the stream is always flowing, and yet the well

springs up as free, as rich, as full as ever. Come, believer, and get all thy

need supplied; ask largely, and thou shalt receive largely, for this “fulness”

is inexhaustible, and is treasured up where all the needy may reach it, even

in Jesus, Immanuel–God with us.

Evening “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” / Luke 2:19

There was an exercise, on the part of this blessed woman, of three powers of

her being: her memory–she kept all these things; her affections–she kept

them in her heart; her intellect–she pondered them; so that memory,

affection, and understanding, were all exercised about the things which she

had heard. Beloved, remember what you have heard of your Lord Jesus, and what

he has done for you; make your heart the golden pot of manna to preserve the

memorial of the heavenly bread whereon you have fed in days gone by. Let your

memory treasure up everything about Christ which you have either felt, or

known, or believed, and then let your fond affections hold him fast for

evermore. Love the person of your Lord! Bring forth the alabaster box of your

heart, even though it be broken, and let all the precious ointment of your

affection come streaming on his pierced feet. Let your intellect be exercised

concerning the Lord Jesus. Meditate upon what you read: stop not at the

surface; dive into the depths. Be not as the swallow which toucheth the brook

with her wing, but as the fish which penetrates the lowest wave. Abide with

your Lord: let him not be to you as a wayfaring man, that tarrieth for a

night, but constrain him, saying, “Abide with us, for the day is far spent.”

Hold him, and do not let him go. The word “ponder,” means to weigh. Make ready

the balances of judgment. Oh, but where are the scales that can weigh the Lord

Christ? “He taketh up the isles as a very little thing:”–who shall take him

up? “He weigheth the mountains in scales”–in what scales shall we weigh him?

Be it so, if your understanding cannot comprehend, let your affections

apprehend; and if your spirit cannot compass the Lord Jesus in the grasp of

understanding, let it embrace him in the arms of affection.

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Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

January 20, 2013 broboinhawaii 1 Comment

Morning “Abel was a keeper of sheep.” / Genesis 4:2

As a shepherd Abel sanctified his work to the glory of God, and offered a

sacrifice of blood upon his altar, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his

offering. This early type of our Lord is exceedingly clear and distinct. Like

the first streak of light which tinges the east at sunrise, it does not reveal

everything, but it clearly manifests the great fact that the sun is coming. As

we see Abel, a shepherd and yet a priest, offering a sacrifice of sweet smell

unto God, we discern our Lord, who brings before his Father a sacrifice to

which Jehovah ever hath respect. Abel was hated by his brother–hated without

a cause; and even so was the Saviour: the natural and carnal man hated the

accepted man in whom the Spirit of grace was found, and rested not until his

blood had been shed. Abel fell, and sprinkled his altar and sacrifice with his

own blood, and therein sets forth the Lord Jesus slain by the enmity of man

while serving as a priest before the Lord. “The good Shepherd layeth down his

life for the sheep.” Let us weep over him as we view him slain by the hatred

of mankind, staining the horns of his altar with his own blood. Abel’s blood

speaketh. “The Lord said unto Cain, The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth

unto me from the ground.'” The blood of Jesus hath a mighty tongue, and the

import of its prevailing cry is not vengeance but mercy. It is precious beyond

all preciousness to stand at the altar of our good Shepherd! to see him

bleeding there as the slaughtered priest, and then to hear his blood speaking

peace to all his flock, peace in our conscience, peace between Jew and

Gentile, peace between man and his offended Maker, peace all down the ages of

eternity for blood-washed men. Abel is the first shepherd in order of time,

but our hearts shall ever place Jesus first in order of excellence. Thou great

Keeper of the sheep, we the people of thy pasture bless thee with our whole

hearts when we see thee slain for us.

Evening “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” /

Psalm 119:37

There are divers kinds of vanity. The cap and bells of the fool, the mirth of

the world, the dance, the lyre, and the cup of the dissolute, all these men

know to be vanities; they wear upon their forefront their proper name and

title. Far more treacherous are those equally vain things, the cares of this

world and the deceitfulness of riches. A man may follow vanity as truly in the

counting-house as in the theatre. If he be spending his life in amassing

wealth, he passes his days in a vain show. Unless we follow Christ, and make

our God the great object of life, we only differ in appearance from the most

frivolous. It is clear that there is much need of the first prayer of our

text. “Quicken thou me in thy way.” The Psalmist confesses that he is dull,

heavy, lumpy, all but dead. Perhaps, dear reader, you feel the same. We are so

sluggish that the best motives cannot quicken us, apart from the Lord himself.

What! will not hell quicken me? Shall I think of sinners perishing, and yet

not be awakened? Will not heaven quicken me? Can I think of the reward that

awaiteth the righteous, and yet be cold? Will not death quicken me? Can I

think of dying, and standing before my God, and yet be slothful in my Master’s

service? Will not Christ’s love constrain me? Can I think of his dear wounds,

can I sit at the foot of his cross, and not be stirred with fervency and zeal?

It seems so! No mere consideration can quicken us to zeal, but God himself

must do it, hence the cry, “Quicken thou me.” The Psalmist breathes out his

whole soul in vehement pleadings: his body and his soul unite in prayer. “Turn

away mine eyes,” says the body: “Quicken thou me,” cries the soul. This is a

fit prayer for every day. O Lord, hear it in my case this night.

DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION

Tag Archives: blood of jesus

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Scars of New Creation

Charles Spurgeon – The remembrance of Christ

Charles Stanley – The Precious Blood of Jesus: Why It Matters

Charles Spurgeon – The remembrance of Christ

Charles Spurgeon – The duty of remembering the poor

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Fully Persuaded

Joyce Meyer – Waiting on His Goodness

Greg Laurie – The Overcomers

Alistair Begg – Follow Rahab’s Example

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Scriptures, Lessons, News and Links to help you survive.