The Precious Blood

“You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ.” –1 Peter 1:18-19, NET

If you’ve seen the Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ,” then recall the scene depicted above when Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene carefully wipe up Jesus’ blood after he has been "severely flogged" (John 19:1). As Mary Magdalene removes her head covering and delicately dabs at the ground, she recalls her own encounter with Christ's forgiveness. While the connection in the film is purely church tradition and there is no biblical evidence that the woman in John 8 is Magdalene, it is nonetheless incredibly moving—for in truth, every true disciple is gifted with a John 8 moment (Col 2:13). So in this scene, a redeemed child of God reverently soaks up the blood of Christ as if it is something precious to her—because it is. 

Is the blood precious to you? Does pondering the crucifixion well up within your heart reverent worship? Do you realize it was shed on behalf of your filthy sins?

“Satan makes sin seem pleasurable, but the cross reveals its bitterness. If Jesus died because of sin, men begin to see that sin must be a murderous thing. Even when sin was but imputed to the Saviour, it made him pour out his soul unto death; it must, then, be a hideous evil to those who are actually and personally guilty of it. If God’s rod made Christ sweat great drops of blood, what will his axe do when he executes the capital sentence upon impenitent men! Yes, we overcome the deadly sweetness and destructive pleasurableness of sin by the blood of the Lamb,” (Charles Spurgeon, The Blood of the Lamb).

Now watch the scene with a focus on His precious blood, and then you too "Go, and sin no more." (John 8:11; Rom 6:6).