NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS

REFLECTION AT THE ECUMENICAL SERVICE IN ST. RUFUS CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, KEITH (17/04/2019)

REV. FR. PETER EZEKOKA

I once had a student whose sole reason for not venturing into Medicine and Surgery as an area of specialization was that he couldn’t stand the sight of blood. Some of us, like that boy cannot also stand the sight of blood. But here in Jesus, we see someone who not only stood the sight of blood, and of course the blood that was his own, but also offered that most precious blood for our well-being. In the Old Testament, there was this sacredness attached to blood. The atoning power of every sacrifice was the blood (Lev. 8:15; 9:9). For the mosaic law, when an animal is sacrificed, its blood must be sprinkled on those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified. Nearly all things required cleansing with blood according to the law, and as the writer to the Hebrews said in 9:22, unless blood is poured out, no forgiveness takes place. Even the misuse of blood was punishable by death (Lev. 17:10). In Leviticus 17:11, the soul of the flesh is the blood. Blood was very sacred. Of course, we know that when a thing is made rare, or severely restrictive as to its use, its value increases. It is the will of God then that blood would not be viewed as something of ordinary value, but as precious, valuable and sacred. And as we must think, this sacredness of blood in the OT was pointing to the most exalted purpose the blood of Jesus Christ would serve.

The manner of Christ’s death was the manner of sacrifice. The body was placed on that wood made in a cross form, and its many parts perforated; and the blood poured out like a libation. He poured out this human blood to guarantee our justification (cf. Rom. 5:9), such that there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ (cf. Rom. 8:1). The blood of Jesus became the supreme offering to God. The payment for sin is death, but the ransom for this imprisonment caused by sin is the grace offered by that blood sacrifice on the cross. Thus, the blood was not only sacrificial, but also covenantal. If there is no blood, there will be no bond. The blood of Jesus bonds us to God. The offering of an animal or even our own death are not sufficient sacrifices to pay for sin. Such an atonement requires a perfect, spotless sacrifice, offered in just the right way. It is Jesus the Christ who became that perfect God-man that released us from the shackles of sin and death to the state of grace, whose blood, according to Romans 3:25 reconciled us to God; and in 1 Pet 1:18-19 paid for our ransom. In Hebrews 13:12, that blood sanctifies us. And in Ephesians 2:13, that blood opens for us the way to the presence of God. May we not forget that this blood pleads more insistently than Abel’s blood (cf. Heb. 12:24). And in Col. 1:19-20, it assures our peace. In Revelations 12:11. it was by virtue of this blood that the enemy was completely overcome. Indeed, worthy is the lamb that was slain who by his blood ransomed men for God (cf. Rev.5:9).

Perhaps at this point, we may want to remind ourselves of those three basic functions of the human blood to the body. As a body fluid, blood delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells, transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells and helps to regulate the body temperature. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, the blood of Jesus delivers the necessary divine virtues into the entirety of our being. These virtues are needed for a good relationship with God and with fellow human beings. The blood of Jesus helps to remove from our lives those vices that might harm our souls; it has a cleansing power. In 1 John 1:7, the blood cleanses us from all sins. The blood of Jesus helps to regulate and maintain some balance in our inner spirit so that it is neither lax nor scrupulous, thirsting for God in a very humane manner and accommodating one another in the spirit of Christ.

I once had a friend who passed on simply because the blood that should have matched his own blood group was not made readily available. And I ask myself: is this how important the blood is to the human body? If there is no blood, the consequence becomes death. Surely, each one of us here has got his/her own blood group which are basically classified into four. We know how it can be life threatening, for example if someone with blood group B is given group A blood; the Anti-A antibodies will attack the group A cells. Is it not then true that sometimes, human beings act like these antibodies, attacking one another and not being able to co-exist in this one planet, earth? Here comes the relevance of the blood of Jesus that serves as a perfect match to every blood group. So, whether you have blood group A or B or O or even AB, the Blood group J is your perfect match. In Jesus is peace. In Jesus, there is no Jew or gentile.

His blood is a perfect match for every one of us: the African, the American, the European, the Asian, the Australian, the Scottish, and of course, the Nigerian.  His blood is a perfect match for all churches and ecclesial communities. And you know what? This blood is readily available, and there is no need running helter-skelter to get it, because it has been gracefully embedded in our souls. All we need do is to tap it in prayers and good works and watch as it flows in us. The blood of Jesus is the sign of our unity, love and peace. It is the most powerful blood in history that is indeed also beyond history. His blood is the perfect match.  Nothing but the blood of Jesus. During this Holiest of all weeks, would it not be nice and indeed a great opportunity for us to renew the power and efficacy of this blood in our lives, and as a worshipping community? May this Holy and most precious blood of Jesus shed for us purify us, sanctify us, preserve us, protect us, unite us and make us peaceful now and always. Amen. God bless you.