Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I’m not sure what brought it on, but last week Vicki was in her planting mode. I mean she went to different places looking for just the right colored perennials to plant. Then it was get them in the pots and getting everything just right so they would stay strong.
As she was taking care of those things I did get pulled in just a bit, but all in all it wasn’t bad. Yet as we were working on some out front, I looked at the cross we have had in front of the house. It had been there so long it was no longer the way it needed to be.
We talked about what we needed to do. Painting it was what we decided but then what color came next. After I pulled out all our spray paint we decided that red was the way to go. I got everything ready then began painting it.
As I was painting it the new paint began to make it look so much better. The old was covered over and the imperfect areas were covered with the fresh new color. It was an amazing transformation as the new red paint went on.
But then I began to think about something else. I thought about the difference the blood of Jesus makes in our lives. It all began with the difference that the blood of Jesus made as He was hanging on the cross and His blood ran down.
Oh, I know that it didn’t cover every part of the cross, but it went way beyond that. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:13-16 -- 13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”
It all began at the cross, but continues even today. The blood Jesus shed on the cross washes over the sin in our lives and cleanses us. John wrote in 1 John 1:7 – “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
We know that when we confess our sins and ask Him to forgive us and come into our hearts, He saves us. It is the blood of Christ that washes over our sin and makes us new. It is then that we find that He forgives us and makes us new. And it never goes away.
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:18-20 – “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” His blood covers all our sin.
As I look at the cross I painted I can see some spots I wished were covered just a little better. But with a little more paint that will be taken care of. But I know this, I’m not perfect but by the blood of Jesus Christ, I am completely covered and nothing will ever change what He has done in and for me.
The blood of Jesus has covered me and I have found the forgiveness that has brought the change I need in life. The blood of Jesus can make the difference in all who come to Him.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the retired preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
