Better blood

(You have come) to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.                    Heb. 12.24

Abel suffered violence and death at his brother's hand. Cain's jealousy caused him to commit the most atrocious, and deadly, crime against his brother. Abel's blood cries out in protest against this violence and injustice.

Christ's blood, on the other hand, was shed purely out of love. John expresses this clearly when he says, "God so loved the world." God loved us so much that He sent His own Son to die for our sins. This is the cause of the spilling of Jesus' blood. He came as mediator of the covenant of love and grace. God has always loved. He is unchanging. His love for us has always been sure. What the new covenant brought was His action of redemption in love. The Old Testament presents one opportunity after another for people to return to God through their own right actions. But they are unable to do so - and we are unable to do so! God does it for us.

The blood of Jesus does indeed speak a better word than the blood of Abel. Love and grace demolish and overcome violence and injustice. Whereas the blood of Abel cried out in protest, the blood of Jesus invites. It says, "The price has been paid. Come to the Father. Return to Him and let Him love you. Do not struggle in your sin. Release it, and give yourselves into the arms of love."

Holy God,

I thank You for the blood of Jesus. I receive its message of love, grace and hope. I confess my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. I give myself into the arms of love.           Amen.