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February 13, 2024 | Daily Devotionals | February 13

Power in the Blood

 

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. Isaiah 17: 11

 

When you read the Old Testament, things clip along pretty well through Genesis and Exodus. Lots of intrigue, deception, love, betrayal, warfare. Then you hit Leviticus, with its details about sin offerings, guilt offerings, etc. It’s the equivalent of studying for the driver’s test. Boring? It can be—but don’t skip it. Basically the entire book can be summed up in a word: Atonement. Webster defines atonement as “reparation for an offense or injury : satisfaction.” When the Jews sinned, they atoned for it—satisfied the debt with an offering or sacrifice. And in every sacrifice, one element was required: Blood. 

 

If you watch The Passion of the Christ you will see the bloody details of Jesus’ crucifixion. Often in western culture we sanitize blood. Most of us didn’t grow up on farms like our ancestors. If you serve—or served—in the military (especially in combat) then you may know what it’s like to see blood. We don’t often see birth and death and the blood that goes with both. 

 

But that’s the way God set things up: There’s power in the blood, and the spilling of it is required for satisfying the debt of our sin. Thank God—literally—that we no longer need to have a priest cut the neck of a dove, sheep, or ox on an altar to pay the debt for the stupid things we do. Jesus was our sacrificial lamb—a lion who submitted Himself. Philippians 1:8 says, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

 

When we model Christ to our families, it is both as a lion and a lamb. We remain strong—providing, protecting—but we also submit, as Jesus did. Now that’s power! Raw, intense power pumping out from the engine rooms of heaven. When we humble ourselves, He fills our reservoir to overflowing. Then it spills out on those around us. Immense, supernatural love and strength. Be a river—let His blood cover you and His Holy Spirit spill out of you. 

 

Father, the blood of Jesus covers me, so I don’t need to bleed for You. Wash me in His blood.

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