Washed in the blood
Day 656, Friday, May 29
Hebrews Chapter 9
Chapter 9 of Hebrews has raw images of blood, death and sacrifice that can still be shocking after two thousand years.
This is the language of the old camp-meeting hymn, “Are You Washed in the Blood?” The hymn has disappeared from many modern hymnals, jut as the verses have lost popularity in teaching and preaching. The words are too brutal for modern sensibilities. But sin is brutal.
In verse 12 we read, “He [Jesus] did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
The blood of animals was used to make clean those who were ceremonially unclean. “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!
“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
The chapter ends with a revealing statement about the expected return of Jesus: “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Friday meditation
Psalms 128:1-6
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you live to see your children’s children—peace be on Israel.
Prayer focus
You have washed us clean, O God, and for that we praise you.
-Rev. Mark Fleming