Covered By The Blood
“Then, since Rahab’s house was built into the town wall, she let them down by a rope through the window. “Escape to the hill country,” she told them. “Hide there for three days from the men searching for you. Then, when they have returned, you can go on your way.” Before they left, the men told her, “We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions. When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house. If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault. But if anyone lays a hand on people inside this house, we will accept the responsibility for their death. If you betray us, however, we are not bound by this oath in any way.” “I accept your terms,” she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window.”
Joshua 2:15-21 NLT
Many years ago, when I first came to Christ and started embracing my role within the Church, admittedly I was a little freaked out by all the talk of blood. Scripture reference to blood, sacraments focused on blood, and of course singing songs about blood. I was confused about what I did not understand.
“There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb.” If you're familiar with the hymn “Power in the Blood, " by Lewis E. Jones, then reading that sentence probably got your toes tapping. It’s a timeless song I now have come to learn the meaning of and appreciate deeply. Every time I hear it, I am filled with joy knowing that the blood of the Lamb has covered me and washed me white as snow.
The beginning of the song starts like this:
“Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood. Would you over evil-a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood.”
Again, praise Jesus we are covered in the covenant of His blood! Because of His blood we are free from the power of sin through repentance. His blood frees us from the power of the enemy. His blood cleanses us and gives us undeserved access to the blessings reserved for His covenant people. Instead of being under penalty of death because of our many transgressions we have been given access to God Almighty. It’s a pretty sweet deal. I pledge my broken, shameful and undeserving life to Jesus, and he places His life within me and covers me with His blood covenant.
This scripture from Joshua 2 is an illustration of how the blood covenant works. We, the Church, are like Rahab, we are broken, shameful, undeserving because of our past and many sins. But then, just like Joshua sends the two spies who show up at Rahab’s house, the Father sends Jesus to show up in our lives with an offer of a new beginning.
Of course, this new beginning is not just an opportunity, it’s also an oath or a covenant. We must first turn from our allegiance to the world and place our trust in Jesus. We must separate ourselves from our service to the world and put all our faith in God. Like Rahab, we have to fully forsake the life we have known to be comfortable with and receive the life God is offering. This looks like embracing a lifestyle of repentance. This looks like walking in submission and humility to Jesus. It’s from this place of commitment to God, that we are fully covered by the covenant that was established at the first Passover. His blood is applied to our lives.
His Scarlett blood, like the scarlet rope hanging from a prostitute's window, like the Scarlet blood of the Lamb sacrificed on the first Passover in Exodus, then smeared on the doorposts of God’s people, is a symbol of a covenant. A covenant of power and protection. The blood symbolizes that, because I am counted among God’s people, I am not subject to the wrath of God I deserve. Because I am marked by the blood, I am separated from the world and counted blessed among God’s chosen people. Because of the wonder working power of the blood, I am free from the bondage of the enemy that has held me captive for so many years. There is power in the blood of the Lamb that we can access through covenant with Jesus.
If you have given your life to Jesus, you can confidently repeat after me.
Because of the blood applied to my life….
I am free from fear.
I am free from poverty.
The enemy's attack over my life is broken.
My family is blessed and my future is secure. All because I choose to repent from my sin, separate myself onto God, and daily apply His blood covenant to my life.
I cover every aspect of my life in the blood of Jesus! AMEN!
This is why we are so enthusiastic about Jesus' blood. This is why we take communion every week. As we re-engage with His body and blood at the covenant table of communion we are re-applying or re-declaring a bold proclamation. We take the bread because we associate with His life, suffering, death and resurrection and therefore are covered by His blood and are bound to Jesus through His covenant.
As Easter Sunday, the celebration of His resurrection, approaches I believe Jesus wants us to remember the power of walking in the application of His blood. It really should change how we view everything about our lives.
This leaves one final but vital question… Are you covered in the power of the blood?
Love,
Pastor John
