There is Power in the Blood

John 13:7-8 (NIV)
  Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
  "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

This is a verse we have read many times over the years during the season of lent. Before, I only took them at face value; Peter allowed his pride to stand in the way. I can relate. Foot-washing is one of the most humbling experiences one can have; no matter which end of the towel you are on. Peter did not want His beloved Jesus to stoop low and wash feet.

This time around, when reading Jesus' words I was stunned by "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." I am hearing that I must be washed by Jesus, by His blood to be with Jesus. I need to be covered by the Blood of Jesus. This is much more than foot washing; it is soul scrubbing, conscience cleansing, heart purging and spirit scouring.

As a few of the verses in the old song The Power of the Blood say:

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide;
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Sorry, I know you will be humming this tune the rest of the day now.

John 13:6-17

God Spares His Firstborn Son -- Exodus 11:1-10

There are a couple verses in these ten assigned for today which grabbed my attention. "There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel." (Exodus 11:6-7)

The words, "Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel," are striking. On a night when the Angel of death moved throughout the land claiming the first born of every Egyptian family, even of the livestock, sounds of mourning and anguish filled the air. Yet, among the Israelite community not a sound was heard. Even the usual incessant barking of dogs was non-existent.

That night, the Lord made a distinction between the two countries. The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, but made the Egyptian people think favorably of the Israelites and Moses. The blood of the Lamb, God's firstborn son, saved the Israelites this night. God's first born triumphed, Pharaoh's firstborn perished. This is a classic example of good vs evil.

Pharaoh wouldn't believe there was anyone greater then he, even after his firstborn son died as a result of his stubborn heart.  As we approach Christmas Day with anticipation and renewed hope, God's firstborn once again brings light into a dark world. No one knows what this day or this year will bring, unlike Pharaoh, we know that God is in control.

Read the text here.