by Shayla Asselin
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:7
As we enter into Easter weekend, I have had a hymn on repeat in my mind. You probably know it. It was written in 1889 by a man named Lewis Edgar Jones. Since it’s publication in 1899, “There Is Power in the Blood” has become a hallmark in many churches. The lyrics deliver such a power message of hope and freedom. Today, I’d like to take a journey throughout scripture to highlight the power of our Savior’s blood.
Ephesians 1:7 reads, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;” The primary idea in “redemption” is deliverance from a bondage, particularly the bondage of sin. The English word "redemption" comes from the Latin redemptio which is derived from the verb redemere meaning to buy back and signifies literally the process of buying back, liberating by payment of a price or ransom. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us that “...without shedding of blood is no remission.” Without the blood of Jesus, we would owe a debt we could not pay, but the blood of Jesus cancels our debts. The word remission means the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty. When Jesus died on the cross, He canceled my debt and paid the price for my sin. While it cost me nothing to serve Him, it cost Him everything to save me. How amazing is His love for me and you?
The blood of Jesus also gives “fellowship one with another” and “cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) I don’t know about you, but now more than ever, I am so thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ. They can be such a source of strength and encouragement along life’s journey. We are afforded the privilege of this fellowship because the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from the stains of sin. We have been purified and are no longer marked by the blemish of sin because Christ’s blood has made us whiter than snow. (Isaiah 1:18)
The blood of Jesus not only gives us fellowship with one another, but it also gives us fellowship with God. Hebrews 10:19 reads, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,” This boldness comes from our confidence that Jesus’ blood has pardoned and purified our lives and has granted us access to the presence of God. We are unashamed to enter into this most holy of places because we have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Hebrews 13:12 tells us that the blood of Jesus sanctifies us. It separates us from the world and consecrates us to God. Revelation 12:11 reminds us that we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Romans 5:9 encourages us with the truth that the blood of Jesus justifies us.
I know there are many more Bible verses that emphasize the power of the blood of Jesus, but I hope the few that I have referenced today encourage you!
As the old hymn says,
"Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
Would you o'er evil a victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb
Would you be free from your passion and pride
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide
There's wonderful power in the blood
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb"
May we never water down the power of the blood. It is the blood of Jesus that sets us free. It is the blood of Jesus that gives us the victory. It is the blood of Jesus that allows us to live as overcomers. It is the blood of Jesus that redeems and restores us. What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
I recently heard a pastor say this in his sermon and I thought it was so powerful: “Without the blood of Jesus Christ, christianity is a powerless fraud. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, the church is a religious fraternity of people living in absolute deception. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, our preaching and worship is in vain. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, we have ritual without righteousness. Ceremony without conversion. Deception without discipleship. Without the blood of Jesus Christ, the church is nothing because it has nothing to offer if it doesn't offer salvation for the soul.”
When we consider the sacrifice of Christ, we find life, freedom, and victory. May we never stop proclaiming the power of the blood. We cannot afford to water the message down. Nothing destroys the power of the gospel more than when we weaken the power of the blood of Christ. We cannot substitute the blood of Jesus with anything and we cannot add anything to the blood of Jesus. It is the blood of Jesus Christ plus nothing that saves us from our sin. Not the blood plus water baptism. Not the blood plus the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Not the blood plus church membership. I’ll say it again, it is the blood plus nothing that saves us from our sin.
The blood terrorizes satan. It sets the captive free from the chains that enslaves them. It is the blood that guarantees our salvation. It is the blood that conquers death, hell and the grave. It is the blood that brings healing. It is the blood that breaks generational curses. One drop of blood sets us free from the bondage of sin. And the great news is that the same blood that had the power to save us is the same blood that has the power to keep us.
Thank you, Jesus, for the blood!
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