3/30
((from Bri))

I remember when The Passion of the Christ movie came out on DVD. My parents had to be among the first to buy it and we watched it together as a family. As we watched it, I remember thinking, “Why did we buy this? We’ll never watch it again.”

I watched most of the movie with my hands on my face, peering between my fingers. The story I had read and heard countless times in Scripture came alive in a way that made me uncomfortable. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the importance of wrestling with that tension. The crucifixion isn’t just a story – it’s a reality that sustains my victory. It’s hard for me to write about it without tearing up.

I believe that Jesus endured the cross because of His love for the Father. It was that love that compelled Him to care about the eternal destination of you and me. He modeled obedience and surrender in a way that I don’t want to ever get over. The blood of Jesus is my protection and my confidence. I love the old school saying, “The blood still works.”

If you’ve ever prayed with me then you know that I am quick to plead the blood of Jesus over a person or situation. My understanding of theology helps me understand that a perfect lamb had to be sacrificed in order for things to be made right in the world. Therefore, the Blood was (and still is) important! I’m reminded of the song “But the Blood” by Kirk Franklin. Take a moment and drink in these lyrics :

Born alone and left to die

Rejected, often criticized

Hid behind the childhood lies

Everything has changed since the blood

Since the blood, since the blood

Oh, the blood

Born alone and left to die

Rejected, often criticized

Hid behind the childhood lies

Everything has changed since the blood

(Falling on us)

Since the blood (it gave me purpose)

Since the blood (it says you’re for us)

Since the blood (who can be against us)

Hopeless fallen from the air

Reaching but no hand is there

Screaming, quiet, no one cares

I might as well have died

But the blood (falling on us)

But the blood (it gave me purpose)

But the blood (it says you’re for us)

Oh, the blood (who can be against us), oh

Oh, the cleansing power

That takes the guilt away (Jesus)

The lamb was sacrificed now we

No longer fear the grave (yes, Jesus)

No more condemnation (hallelujah)

The debt of man is paid

By the blood (by the blood)

But for the blood

By the blood (by the blood)

But for the blood

Now we are never alone (your)

Your blood, it makes us strong (now)

Now there is power to move on (we are)

Never, we are never alone

Now we are never alone

Your blood, it makes us strong

Now there is power to move on

Never, we are never alone

I woke up this morning believing that I wasn’t adequate, equipped, or called to do what I’m called to do. Now you’ll have to understand that there was absolutely no reason for me to feel this way. I am living my dream in more ways than one. God has demonstrated His faithfulness to me more times than I can count. Yet I spent most of my day battling those thoughts in my mind; so I decided to do what any emotional healthy (read emotionally unhealthy) person would do: sit on my couch and allow my TV to distract me. But then I sensed the Holy Spirit trying to get my attention. I ignored Him initially because I didn’t want to deal with it. But He was persistent. And then warm tears filled my eyes as He. whispered to my heart, “The blood of Jesus declares that you are enough.”

I was undone.

On this day, the enemy thought he had won. Depression and anxiety tried to weigh me down.

But the blood.

And on today, Good Friday, over 2,000 years ago, the enemy thought he had won. Jesus was crucified on Calvary’s cross.

But the blood.

Friends, open your eyes and ears and hearts! BUT THE BLOOD! The blood was our victory then and it is our victory now!