#JESUS2020 - Daily DevotionalsSample

I have always found it difficult to understand how the blood of Jesus enables us to receive forgiveness for our faults. And you? 

In order to live out this truth better, we need to understand the context. Let’s remind ourselves of two things about sacrifice in the Old Testament context:

First, blood represents life. When a sacrificed animal’s blood is shed, it gives up its life. 

Secondly, the principle of the sacrifice of atonement involves a pure animal carrying the punishment that should have been inflicted on someone else who is impure. 

The impure are redeemed through the shedding of innocent blood. In this way, the price is paid, and the impure are considered pure once again.

Once we understand that God gave His Son, who was perfect and blameless, we understand the reality of our sin better and just how precious it is that His blood was shed for us. The cost of our redemption was an innocent life. We are made pure through His purity. We are made righteous through His righteousness. This truth allowed me to discover one of the most precious secrets to becoming a man of peace.

When I am in conflict with someone, I am often surprised by how strong my reactions can be. It is as though my survival were at stake and I am fighting to save face. And yet, the truth within this verse means that I have been justified by Jesus and, therefore, I do not need to fight for my own justice. I have been redeemed, and I choose to be defined not by my own justice but by that of my Savior.

Every day I must choose to live according to this new reality that has been declared over my life.

ACTION STEP:

Apply this truth to an area of your life where you are tempted to fight for your own justice.

Adrien Zucchello, ICF Genève