The Power of This Blood We Must Not Treat as Common (PART 2)

There is power in the blood of Jesus and in the name of Jesus. This is not common blood. It is not ordinary, not replaceable, not one option among many. It is the blood of “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29; see also John 1:36).

In our world today, we know that blood can mean the difference between life and death. A single pint of donated human blood can save up to three lives. Across the world, millions of blood donations are collected and transfused each year, and hospitals depend on a constant supply to sustain the living. Yet for all its value, human blood can only preserve physical life for a time. It may strengthen the weak, stabilize the wounded, and extend life on earth, but it cannot conquer death itself. The blood of Jesus does what no human blood can do: through Him, God gives eternal life. This is the power of the blood we must not treat as common.

Today, the spilling of blood fills our news feeds—crime scenes, wars, shootings. We investigate, prosecute, and mourn, yet no verdict can restore what bloodshed has taken. Human blood spilled in anger cries out for justice, but it cannot heal the heart of the one who shed it or resurrect the life that was lost. The blood of Jesus, poured out willingly, both satisfies divine justice and offers mercy to the guilty. Where human bloodshed deepens the curse, His blood breaks it. This is the power of the blood we must not treat as common.

Nations speak of “the blood that was shed” to purchase freedom. We honor soldiers and martyrs whose sacrifice secured rights and safety, yet the peace they win is always fragile and temporary. The blood of Jesus is the only blood that purchased a freedom death can never take away. This is the power of the blood we must not treat as common.

Scripture reveals a different kind of blood—a holy blood that accomplishes what no other blood can. On the night of Passover, the blood of a lamb on the doorposts caused judgment to pass over the homes of Israel (Exodus 12:7, 12–13). If the blood of a lamb was powerful enough to shield them from temporal judgment, how much more the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, to deliver us from eternal judgment and the second death (Revelation 20:14). This is the power of the blood we must not treat as common.

Year after year, priests carried animal blood into the tabernacle and temple. That blood provided a covering, but never a cure; it delayed judgment and pointed forward. “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer…sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ…cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:13–14). If the blood of bulls and goats could provide temporary cleansing, how much more the blood of Jesus to cleanse the conscience and make us truly holy (Hebrews 10:1–4, 10). This is the power of the blood we must not treat as common.

At the Last Supper, Jesus lifted the cup and said, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28; see also Luke 22:20). His blood would seal a better covenant between God and His people (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15–22). If the sprinkled blood of the old covenant could set apart one nation for a time (Exodus 24:6–8), how much more the blood of Jesus to bind us to God forever and gather a people from every tribe and tongue (Revelation 5:9–10). This is the power of the blood we must not treat as common.

When Jesus died on the cross, His blood flowed under the mocking eyes of those who believed they were witnessing an ordinary execution (Matthew 27:27–31, 35). Yet in the unseen realm, that blood was blotting out the record that stood against us and disarming principalities and powers (Colossians 2:14–15). Through His blood, God made peace and reconciled all things to Himself (Colossians 1:20), giving us redemption and the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). If the blood of soldiers can purchase temporary freedoms, how much more the blood of Jesus to secure eternal peace and a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). This is the power of the blood we must not treat as common.

There is power in the blood of Jesus and in the name of Jesus. This blood shields from judgment (Hebrews 11:28), cleanses the conscience (Hebrews 9:14), opens the way into the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19–22), overcomes the accuser (Revelation 12:11), and purchases a people for God from every nation (Revelation 5:9). TThis is the power of the blood we must not treat as common (Hebrews 10:29).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, forgive every careless way this heart has treated Your blood as common. Teach deeper reverence for Your sacrifice, stronger faith in Your power, and greater gratitude for the eternal life purchased through Your blood. Let this heart draw near with awe, humility, and confidence, knowing the way to the Father was opened by You alone. Amen.