JESUS' BLOOD NEVER FAILS ME!

SCRIPTURE

Exodus 24:1-11 (NRSV)
The elders eat with God

Then he said to Moses, "Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship at a distance. Moses alone shall come near the Lord; but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him."

Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do." And Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. He rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and set up twelve pillars, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. He sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed oxen as offerings of well-being to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he dashed against the altar. Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, "See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words."

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. God did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; also they beheld God, and they ate and drank.

DEVOTION

Today I am struck by the work of blood to seal the covenant between God and the Israelite people.

I am amazed that God issued an invitation for Moses and the leaders of the people to come, worship, and hear God’s instructions. In response to this beautiful invitation the people said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.”

Oh my! I’m sure if you’ve read any further in scripture, you know how that promise turned out. In fact, the Israelites did not keep their promise to God! But, on that day, they must have had high hopes and good intentions.

In order to seal the covenant the people of Israel offered burnt offerings and sacrifices unto God. In response to the blood offerings, the covenant was sealed and the elders were able to “see” God! They ate and drank in God’s presence and it must have been a moment like no other!

But alas, the covenant did not last, the people sinned and fell short of the glory of God, and a new covenant was needed to reconcile humanity’s relationship with God, make reparation for our sin, and create provision for our eternal life.

Since God loves us so much, God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life!

Isn’t it amazing that although we have failed to keep God’s commandments time and again, God has never given up on us and although we have disappointed God with our wayward ways and hard heads and hard hearts, God has still made provision for us to be with God eternally?

I don’t know about you, but when I think about how much God must love us, my heart swells almost to bursting! What unconditional love, unmerited favor, and unconditional grace God has extended to us! The Bible says that there is no greater love than for a person to die for his/her friends!

Although we were sinking deep in our sin, God chose to throw us a rope in Jesus! As a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross, we are once again invited to worship, bow down, and adore God as we hear God’s GOOD NEWS word to us. Once again we hear God’s commandment to love God and neighbor as ourselves and once again we are bathed in blood to seal the new covenant.

But, there is a substantial difference this time! The covenant cannot be broken. There is no need for additional blood sacrifice. Although we sin and fall short of God’s perfect will for our lives; Jesus' blood will never, ever fail us!!

OH HALLELUJAH!! COME ON SOMEBODY...

Jesus' blood never fails me! Jesus' blood will never fail you!

Jesus' blood never fails...(period)


There is no need for “do-overs!” We do not have to offer sacrifice after sacrifice anymore. Jesus’ death up on the cross is the once and for all time sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world!

Won’t you put all of your hope in Jesus trusting in God’s ability to love and save you? If so, please pray with me:

God thank you that you love me so much that you allowed Jesus to die on the cross and be resurrected on the third day. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Please allow me to share Your Love with others. I want everyone I know to have the opportunity to worship you for eternity! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!

Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!




ANNOUNCEMENTS

To listen to audio recordings of Pastor Yolanda's Sunday sermons, please visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/57814 or click the widget to the right on this page!

If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/

You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda

Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

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From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com