THE LASTING CURE IN THE BLOOD

THE LASTING CURE IN THE BLOOD 

"For the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sins. For this reason, when Christ was about to come into the world, he said to God: “You do not want sacrifices and offerings, but you have prepared a body for me.  You are not pleased with animals burnt whole on the altar or with sacrifices to take away sins". - Hebrews 10:4-6 (GNB)

An old man while walking by a stream asked his son to do something that will make a lasting impact in the water. His son quickly bent down, picked up a small pebble and threw it into the water. As they watched the ripple spread, his father said to him "Son, is that the best you can do? Then the boy hurriedly picked up a rock and threw it into the stream again. The boy was excited as he watched the rock making a big splash in the stream. But instead of his father applauding him, the old man said "Son, If you really want to make a remarkable splash, then you have got to throw yourself in the water”

When man erred in the Garden of Eden, he was driven out of the garden, lost his dominion and fellowship with his maker (Genesis 3:23-24). Therefore, there was an urgent need to do something to reconcile man back to God. That is something that will have a lasting impact. The sprinkling of the blood of goats and sheep on the altars was the first option.  This immediate solution only worked for a while because it was a temporary arrangement renewable every year ( Exodus 30:10). Then, when it became obvious that the blood of animals is not the permanent cure for man's predicament, the need to embrace God's grand redemptive agenda then came to fore. God did exactly what the old man in the above story advised his son to do. He decided to throw something so big and mighty into the stream to make a lasting impact. Yes, God threw his only begotten Son into the stream to redeem man back to himself (John 3:16). Jesus came to redeem us and to pay the huge penalty for our sins with His blood. What a selfless and costly sacrifice! 

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one needs to be destroyed. By believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again".-  John 3:16-17 (MSG)

According to Hebrews 10:4-6, the only lasting or permanent cure for sin is the blood of Jesus Christ. Yes, the blood of goats and sheep cannot atone for our sins. Those periodic or annual rituals of sacrificing animals cannot put us in right standing with God. Not at all! But rather, we can be redeemed or reconciled with God and escape the terrible punishments for sin if we accept the  one-off ultimate sacrifice made with the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary over 2000 years ago.  

Friends, are you still throwing pebbles and rocks into the stream for the remission of your sins every year? Don’t you know that the blood of animals cannot make a lasting impact? You may be satisfied with the ripples and splashes in the stream of your life today but please note that those recurring rituals of yours are stale and of no effect. That is why it is very crucial that you consider the lasting or permanent cure for your sin today? Please identify with the one-off sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for your deliverance from the wicked grip of sin and its terrible consequences. If you do, then, you will be redeemed and when Christ shall appear, the second time, will you be among those that He will rescue from the sting of second death? ( Hebrews 9:28). 

"In the same manner Christ also was offered in sacrifice once to take away the sins of many. He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are waiting for him"  - Hebrews 9:28 (GNB)

In 1882, God inspired the renowned hymnist- Fanny J. Crosby to compose a wonderful hymn titled "Redeemed" on the subject matter.  The hymn summarises how the lasting cure in the Blood of Jesus Christ redeems our soul and stirs us up to witness to others the eternal life in Christ Jesus (Titus 1:2). If you have been truly redeemed, then, I urge you to please make the lyrics of this powerful hymn below your watchword and song until you see Christ in Glory . 

REDEEMED by F.J Crosby

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.

Refrain:
         Redeemed, redeemed,
         Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
         Redeemed, redeemed,
         His child and forever I am.

Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessèd Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

I know there's a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.

My prayer for you and my humble self is that God's wonderful work of redemption will stir us to proclaim this message wherever we go. May we receive grace never to restrain from witnessing Christ everywhere we find ourselves on this planet. And after preaching the gospel faithfully here on earth, may we not miss our crown in the mansion above. 

Good morning and do have a fruitful day.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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