Blood & Water

Blood and Water. That is what came out from the body of Christ. The centurion wanted to see if Jesus had died, so He was pierced in the side of his body. People could hardly believe that someone would die so quickly on the cross. That was the point of the cross, it was supposed to be a prolonged and agonizing death. Jesus’ body laid still. I don’t think we have words to describe what just happened. The God of creation was now dead, hanging on a human creation for death. There was a silence in heaven, and all the universe cried in absolute shock and horror. He was crushed for our sins, He took the guilt of the world, and that guilt crushed his human heart.

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 9:22

Satan demanded the death of humankind. If Satan was thrown into the pits of fire, he would have demanded that all humanity must also be lost. How can a fair and just God condemn evil, but let humanity live? God’s answer was the cross. Jesus would come in the form of a human, be tempted as a human, live a sinless life, then make the trade of all time. Jesus would die. He would the take the punishment that humanity deserved, in order for humanity to live in eternity as Jesus always had. A God would die for a creation. What an incomprehensible idea. Something that has life in Himself, would give it away for a creation made from mud.

As Jesus hung on the cross, He could not see past His death. Could this be the end? To the very end of His life, He only thought of others. He mourned for His mother, He pleaded forgiveness for the world, and with his last breath, He did everything in his human power to save humanity. Then his heart stopped.

Let us never forget that day. Let us never forget what Jesus did for us. Let us remember his tears and blood that was shed for our behalf. Water and blood, two streams came out of his side that day. Blood is what cleanses us from sin and water is the new life He has promised to every believer. May Jesus be lifted up always, and His love inspires you for eternity.

Connected to the Vine

-Pastor Danny