March 4, 2015
The Blood sets us free
Gracious Heavenly Father, we know we have no strength in and
of ourselves. But You have sent your Son
and our Savior, Jesus Christ to not only defend us, but die in order to set us free. Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself and His
innocent blood in order that we might be set free. May we not only see this gift, but hear the
message represented by His blood and receive the freedom offered for each of
us. For our Lenten Journey is not complete
without a simple red bead on the salvation bracelet offered by Jesus Christ for
all of mankind, but especially each of us gathered here this Wednesday of
Lent. AMEN.
In the gardens of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, there is a
plant grown named “Love Lies Bleeding” that was originally misunderstood. As most of the early settlers understood,
they needed to be self-sufficient, so they used plants that had medicinal
purposes. One plant, “Love Lies
Bleeding”, with red foliage and red berries would be used to treat many of the
common diseases of the day, including, kidney ailments, sores on the body and
even could be made into a drink for ease of consumption and use. The drink when complete was red and it was
believed by the native Americans that this was in fact people’s blood. Hence when communion services of the church
were celebrated, the same understanding of blood of humans was mistakenly
understood.
Tonight, our focus is upon a red bead. Unlike the Native Americans understanding of
the drink made from the red berries of a plant.
What we partake of in Holy Communion is Jesus Christ Blood, shed for us
for the forgiveness of sins. Paul in
Romans 5:8 says it plainly, “8 But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us.” We have through
the sacrifice of Jesus Christ His willingness to die for each and every one of
us. Jesus Christ willingness was not
only to die, but shed His blood as a ransom for us and all of mankind.
The salvation story as told by the salvation bracelet with
the red bead is for each of us to be reminded of our familiar connection with
Jesus Christ. Our connection is not
tangential, but deep and intimate. Jesus
Christ Blood represented by this red bead is to remind us what Jesus Christ
shed for us. The movie “Passion
of the Christ” is very graphic, some people don’t want to watch the
movie because of the amount of blood and violence. But it was by and through Jesus Christ very
blood, shed in the soldiers quarters, the Praetorium, along the way to Golgotha
and especially on the Cross that we not only see God’s demonstration of His
love for us, but to the degree Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice Himself.
When we wear the salvation bracelet and look at the red bead
it is not only to be a reminder of Jesus on Good Friday, but to point us to the
altar. For it is around and from the
altar here in the church or wherever Holy Communion is celebrated that we are
not only reminded, but called on to remember Jesus Christ sacrifice. Jesus Christ willingness to have a thorny
crown placed on His forehead that pricked His brow, the nails hammered through
His Hands and Feet, and especially the spear that pierced His side and the
subsequent gush of blood and water all point to one thing. Jesus Christ offer to all of mankind of the
forgiveness of sins. It is in and
through Jesus Christ offer of His Blood that we receive life and salvation.
For Jesus Christ offer of His innocent blood gives us the
forgiveness we so desperately need. This
is why Paul said, 8 But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus Christ was willing to shed His Blood in order that we may be set
free.
In the Gospel of John, John writes, (15:13) “Greater
love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” And this is exactly what Jesus Christ did for
us, lay down His life, shed His innocent blood and make the ultimate sacrifice
for all of mankind, including each and every one of us. When we hold the red bead as we tell the
story of salvation, we are reminded not only of His sacrifice, but Jesus Christ
willingness to die in order that we might be free. Our freedom comes at a cost, the cost of Jesus
Christ innocent Blood represented by this red bead on the salvation bracelet
that tells the greatest story of forgiveness for each and every one of us found
in the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all of mankind. And this includes each of us gathered here
tonight who believe, Jesus Christ died for each and every one of us. AMEN.
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