This morning it is snowing. Once again in looking out at the whiteness, I am reminded of my great need for a Redeemer. The awareness of the sacrifice of Christ & His shed blood fell anew on me this morning.
Don’t get me wrong, I know that I am forgiven. It is just that every once in a while, usually when it snows, a fresh appreciation bursts forth in me. It is bursting again today.
Perhaps this fresh awareness is due in part to reading Leviticus. Seriously. Having been reading through this book, chapter by chapter, sacrifice by sacrifice, I have realized the futility of these sacrifices. This was an ongoing duty. Day after day. Year after year. Thousands of animals slaughtered. So much blood. Until Christ came, once for all.
I cannot see what is in the heart or past of anyone else but myself. I know me. I know those things that have stained my heart. I know how undeserving of forgiveness I was. I knew better. Perhaps that is what makes the forgiveness that God offers me through His Son, Jesus, so precious to me. In no way, did He cast me aside or refuse me. Rather, with His outstretched arms on Calvary, He embraced me.
The blood….
I do not do very well with blood. At the sight of my own blood, I have been known to pass out, cold, a few times. I will even admit that in buying meats at the supermarket, I look for packages that do not have the blood running loosely in the package.
Yet, we are told in Leviticus:
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” (17:11 NIV).
There is life in the blood. It is the blood that has been given for us that makes the atonement for us. Atonement – not a word we use in our everyday conversation. It means, “to cover, reconcile, cleanse, forgive.” (The Key Word Study Bible). Through the blood of my Savior my sins have been covered, I am reconciled to God, I am cleansed of my dirty record, I stand forgiven before God.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV).
God not only lavishes His love on us but He lavishes His grace & forgiveness on us as well. He lavishes on us in every way, completely.
Today I did not receive a “snow day” or a day off due to the weather. But I realized this morning that I received something greater – gratitude for the snowy reminder of the completed work of Christ on the Cross for me.
Nothing But The Blood – Matt Redman
