SEEKING BETTER THINGS

"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. . . . But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6)

Devotion 18 of 26

BLOOD THAT SPEAKS BETTER THINGS

The blood of Christ gives the advantage to everyone receiving it. It has brought us near to God (Eph 2:13), and purifies our conscience from dead works so we can serve the living God (Heb 9:14). It has "ransomed us from our futile ways" (1 Pet 1:18-19), praise the Lord! "The blood of Jesus" is the means by which we boldly and confidently enter into the holiest--the very presence of God (Heb 10:19). Believers have been sprinkled the sanctifying blood of Jesus, making them not only acceptable, but usable to the Living God (1 Pet 1:2; Heb 13:12). As we walk in the illuminating presence of the Lord, "we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Through the "blood of His cross," Jesus has made peace, bring the once alienated into fellowship with God and one another (Col 1:20). His blood has ratified the New Covenant, freeing God to write His laws upon our hearts and put them into our minds (Heb 13:20; 10:16). Thank God for Christ's "own blood," through which He has entered into the true holy place, "having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb 9:12).

Those in Christ have been joined to a glorious environment. The blood of Christ is included in that realm, and is said to "speak better things." "And (we have come) to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel" (Heb 12:24). What are the "better things" this blood declares?

Abel's blood cried condemnation against his murderer, Cain. Recall the words of the Lord to that wicked one, Cain: "The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground" (Gen 4:10). It was not a good cry, but one of judgment and condemnation. It called down judgment upon Cain.

But what of the blood of Christ? Does it cry judgment? Indeed not! Does it cry condemnation? God forbid! The blood of Christ cries justification and sanctification. It cries peace and pardon! It cries acceptance and satisfaction! It SPEAKS "BETTER THINGS!

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for the blood that speaks better things!

--Tomorrow: CONSIDER HOW GREAT THIS MAN WAS --