THE BLOOD OF JESUS

THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Proclamation: The Power of the Blood

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was found worthy to open the scroll in the hand of Him who sits on the throne of heaven, except You. Together with the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, we prostrate ourselves before You and say: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." (Rev.5:3,9).

Father God, thank you for the blood that makes atonement for our souls upon the altar (Lev.17:11) and that the blood of a lamb became the Passover sign when You ransomed Your people from Egypt (Ex.12:13). Ever since then You have required the blood of a sin offering as atonement for sin (Ex.30:10; Deut.21:8). According to the law all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb.9:22); But we have come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel (Heb.12:24). Thank you for demonstrating Your own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom.5:8). Yes, You set Him forth as atonement sacrifice and by His blood You demonstrated Your righteousness, for Christ came as High Priest and with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all and obtained eternal redemption (Rom.3:25; Heb.9:11-12). With the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, You have redeemed us and forgiven our sins according to the riches of Your grace (1Pet.1:18-19; Eph.1:7; Col.1:14). Now we, who once were far off and dead in our trespasses and sins, have been brought near to Your throne by the blood of Christ (Eph.2:5;13). It is through the blood of Christ that we are justified and reconciled with You, our heavenly Father (Rom.5:9; Col.1:20).

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for offering Yourself through the eternal Spirit, without blemish to God and so to purchase us, the Church of God, with Your blood (Acts 20:28). It is Your blood that cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Heb.9:14). You loved us and washed us from our sins in Your blood so that we are cleansed from all sin (Rev.1:5; 1John 1:7) and You sanctified us in the Spirit with Your blood (Heb.13:12; 1Pet.1:2). It is through Your blood that we overcome Satan (Rev.12:11).

The night before You gave Yourself as our atonement sacrifice, You took the cup after supper and said: "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, shed for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Luke 22:20; 1Cor.11:25). You also said that whoever eats Your flesh and drinks Your blood has eternal life, and that Your flesh is truly food and Your blood is truly drink (John 6:53-56). The cup of communion then is our communion with Your blood and the bread that we break is the communion with Your body (1Cor.10:16). Thank you that we can partake of this new covenant in Your blood that You have made with God the Father when we celebrate the Lord's Supper. Thank you for the new and living way that You have consecrated for us through the veil, and that we now have boldness to enter the Holiest place by Your blood (Heb.10:19-20).

Now we pray, o God of peace, who raised up our Lord Jesus from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, make us complete in every good work through the blood of the everlasting covenant, to do Your will. Work in us that which is well pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb.13:20-21).