This week is Passion Week, the week to remember and meditate on the sufferings of Jesus. During Passion week, we meditate on the cross of Jesus and the blood of Jesus that he shed on the cross. The reason we meditate on the blood of Jesus is because the blood of Jesus is precious. Jesus came as the lamb of God who took away the sin of the world and poured blood and water on the cross (Jn. 19:34). Jesus came to save us from our sins (Matt. 1:21). In order for Jesus to save us from our sins, he had to shed his blood because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb. 9:22).
From the blood of Jesus comes the power to forgive sins. God has chosen the blood of the lamb as the instrument of grace that forgives our sins. Why did God choose blood as the instrument of forgiveness? Because there is life in the blood. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood"¦ for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life" (Lev. 17:11). The blood of Jesus has power to cleans us from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7). There is no sin or sinner that the blood of Jesus cannot bear. The blood of Jesus not only cleanses us from all sins but also has power to nullify sins (Heb. 10:11-18).
From the blood of Jesus comes the power to prevent disaster. God sent ten plagues to Egypt to free the nation of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh. The final plague was the death of firstborn. It was the plague of the death of all the firstborn of Egypt, both of people and of cattle. However, the houses that marked lamb's blood on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses were safe (Ex. 12:7). As God passed through to strike the Egyptians, when he saw the blood of lamb, the Lord passed over the house (Ex. 12:23). Passover was derived from God passing over the houses of Israelites.
From the blood of Jesus comes the power to free us. The Israelites became free through the blood of the lamb. The Israelites were able to leave Egypt after the shedding of the blood of the lamb. The blood of the lamb is the power to free. Jesus came as the lamb of God and freed us from sin, death, and the authority of the devil. Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (Jn. 8:36).
From the blood of Jesus comes the power of love. Love is sacrifice. Love can be measured by how much one has sacrificed for the other. Jesus bore the weight of our sins by shedding of his blood and dying on our behalf. Jesus received the judgment, curse, and punishment on our behalf. Jesus loved us by giving up his life and pouring out all of his blood for us.
From the blood of Jesus comes the power of healing. Jesus not only bore the weight of our sins but also the suffering of our sicknesses and diseases on our behalf (Is. 53:4). We have been healed through the blood of his wounds (Is. 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:24). The blood of Jesus is the power that gives life. Sickness comes when we are weak. When a part of our body is sick, it's because the vitality of that part of the body has been weakened. Sickness comes when life is weakened. That is when a disease comes in and exerts its power. The blood of Jesus overcomes the disease by providing abundant life. Just as darkness disappears when there is light, when life becomes abundant through the blood, sickness leaves. Whenever we are sick, we must plea for the power of the blood of Jesus. Jesus heals us by weakening the power of sickness and by filling us with the power of life through the power of the blood.
From the blood of Jesus comes the power of suffering. The cross of Jesus is the cross of suffering. Through the cross of Jesus, we learn that suffering is definitely not a curse but a blessing and glory. Jesus said that suffering is glory. Jesus knew the value of suffering and added priceless value in suffering. He taught the truth that there is greater meaning in suffering and that God's glory is revealed through suffering (Jn. 9:1-3). For such reason, those who believe in Jesus embrace suffering and desire to participate in suffering. Apostle Paul wanted to share with Jesus "the power of resurrection and the suffering of Christ" (Phil. 3:10). Charles Spurgeon said, "A ship called the church moves onward through the sea of blood. By setting sails with the blood-stained cross, the ship moves onward even through the night creating crimson waves. It does not stop even through the storms of persecution, suffering, and death. Holy suffering is what assures the ship to move forward." Let us praise Jesus for the blood that He shed and rely on Him. Let us move forward by relying on Jesus' blood. I pray that the grace of the blood of Jesus may be abundant during this Passion Week.
Reverend Joshua Choon-Min Kang is the senior pastor of New Life Vision Church, located in Los Angeles. This is one of the weekly letters he writes to his congregation. For the original, visit www.nlvc.org.
