Today’s Bible verse is a glorious reminder of redemption through the blood of Christ. We find the roots of this concept in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for redemption is pidyon, which means a substitute or to pay the price. In Exodus 12, God commanded the Israelites to put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to identify their households and prevent the plague from coming upon their families.

But in the New Testament, God sends Jesus as the Eternal Lamb to die on the cross. Without the blood that Christ was willing to shed, our lives would be hopeless.

There is power in the blood. Blood provides our bodies with water and nutrients to survive, and without it, we would not be able to fight off sicknesses. In the same way, Jesus’ blood is eternal life for all who believe in him, our victory over sicknesses of the soul. One of my favorite hymns that is sung regularly is “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” by Robert Lowry.

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Are we walking in the freedom and light of redemption? Should it change the way we think about ourselves? Are there any tendencies to forget what Christ has done for us? God has given us the help that we need through the Holy Spirit, and we must remember that the Holy One of Israel is our Redeemer.

The late Charles Spurgeon once stated, “I thought I could have leaped from earth to heaven at one spring when I first saw my sins drowned in the Redeemer’s blood.”

Lord, thank you that you value us, and that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to shed his blood for us. Help me to live in a way that expresses your redeeming love so that others may know you as their Savior. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Reflect on what it means for you to personally be redeemed from all your past hurts, sins, and sicknesses. Take time to thank the Lord for how he’s specifically redeeming your life for his glory.



Tags: Daily Devotional Ephesians 1
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