Friday, March 15, 2013
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life ...
THE LIFE!
When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit which had been forbidden, it did not give them life, but, contrary to the Tempter's promise, it gave them death, and the fatal poison of sin was passed down to every child of Adam since. But Jesus came and drained that cup of death's poison, taking our sins upon Himself and suffering our death. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
Now death's poison cannot harm us because the blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary, cleanses us from all sin and is our life. The life of a creature is in the blood, but our blood was poisoned by sin, so now His blood is our life.
This new life affects us every day, for He is now the shade upon our right hand. And even if grief should sweep over us in waves, we can rest securely, as did Jesus in Galilee's storm (Mark 4:38). His eternal reward is also our assurance of everything we may need along the way.
Of death I am no more afraid,
New life from Thee is flowing;
Thy cross affords me cooling shade
When noonday's sun is glowing.
When by my grief I am opprest,
On Thee my weary soul shall rest
Serenely as on pillows.
Thou art my Anchor when by woe
My bark is driven to and fro
On trouble's surging billows.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 142:5)
