The Power of the Blood and Resurrection of Jesus

​Did you ever ask yourself, "What was the purpose of the Cross?" Father God sent His son, Jesus, to redeem mankind so that we could be in right relationship with Him. Father covets fellowship with us, but there was a price that had to be paid for redemption. The price to buy us back from the enemy was the blood of Jesus, the sinless, spotless Son of God. His sacrifice demonstrated His love for us as He became our Passover Lamb. Mathew 27:45, Mark 15:33, and Luke 23:45 all describe how the sky darkened at noontime until three o'clock while Jesus was being crucified. At the very same time, the high priest Caiaphas was slaughtering the pure, spotless Passover lambs that were brought to the Temple. It was the blood that covered sin in the Old Covenant, but under the New Covenant with Jesus, our sins are forever taken away.
 
When the darkness ended Jesus cried out from the cross: "It is finished!" (John 19:30) He accomplished His assignment on earth. The power of what Jesus, our Messiah, did was reflected in what happened next. First, it is recorded in Matthew 27:51 that at the moment Jesus took His last breath "the veil in the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom." (TPT) Rick Renner, in his book Paid in Full, gives us some staggering information: "The massive, fortified veil that stood before the Holy of Holies was suddenly split in half from top all the way to the bottom!" Rich's research into Jewish writings found that the veil was "60 feet high, 30 feet wide, and an entire handbreadth in thickness." (page 215) In addition, Matthew 27:51 and 52 records: "The earth shook violently, rocks were split apart, and graves were opened. Then many of the holy ones who had died were brought back to life and came out of their graves.” (TPT)
 
Three days later these amazing events were to pale in comparison to what God did. The body of Jesus was placed in a tomb. At the request of the Pharisees and chief priests Pilate agreed to seal the tomb and send soldiers to guard it. The day after the Sabbath, "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to take a look at the tomb. Suddenly, the earth shook violently beneath their feet as the angel of the Lord Jehovah descended from heaven. Lightening flashed around him and his robe was dazzling white! The guards were stunned and terrified--lying motionless like dead men. Then the angel walked up to the tomb, rolled away the stone, and sat on it!" (Matthew 28:1-4 - TPT) It was impossible for death to hold Jesus in the grave!
 
The angel told the women, "Run and tell His disciples, even Peter, that He is risen. He has gone ahead of you into Galilee, and you will see Him there, just like He told you." (Mark 16:7 - TPT) We can only imagine the excitement of these women as they tried to tell the disciples what had happened. Disciples John and Peter decided to go to the tomb to see for themselves and found things as the women had explained. There are many eyewitness accounts of Jesus appearing to His followers. Mary Magdalene, two disciples walking to Emmaus, and the eleven disciples, to name a few, had the privilege of talking with Him. Before leaving the earth Jesus gathered His disciples together to commission them. He said, "I have given you all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 - NLT)
 
One day Jesus will return as the victorious King of kings and Lord of lords. In the meantime, as the Body of Christ, we have the responsibility to spread the Good News. At the right hand of God the Father, Jesus sits as our Great High Priest and intercedes for us. He is standing by to give us "help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) The resurrection of Jesus is the very hope and foundation of our faith. Let us remember His everlasting sacrifice and love and join our fellow Christians in living a life that reproduces His example.