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Most of us consider our spouse and children precious. "Precious"
means that we consider a person or thing of great value or high
price; therefore, it is highly esteemed or cherished. And because
we consider our family precious, we would gladly die that they might
live.
Concerning that which is most precious to Christians Peter says:
". . . knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,
like silver or gold, from the aimless conduct received by tradition
from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
Christians consider the blood of Christ to be most precious. More
precious than silver and gold or family and friends.
Jesus' blood is precious because He freely shed it as a lamb without
blemish and without spot. Think back to the life of Jesus. Think
back to the suffering and shame He experienced in shedding His blood.
Think about Jesus being scourged - whipped to a pulp, blood flying
everywhere, blood dripping on the ground. Think back to the morning
that Jesus was crucified - nailed to the cross, hear the hammer
pound the stakes into His flesh, hear the pain and anguish, see
the blood. Think back to the spear that was thrust into Jesus' side
- see the dead body of Jesus, see the blood and water pouring from
His side.
Jesus' blood is precious because He shed it for you and for me.
He paid the ransom price to redeem us from sin. Jesus was a propitiation
(sacrifice of atonement) by His blood. He was the sacrifice to God
for our sin that we could not provide for ourselves. And hence,
we have been redeemed by Christ's blood (Rev. 5:9) and we have washed
our robes in His blood (Rev. 7:14). Therefore, we overcome Satan
by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:9-11).
And now notice that those who consider the blood of Jesus to be
precious are willing to die for Jesus and His blood. Just as a Mother
and Father are willing to die for their precious children, so Christians
are willing to die (Rev. 12:11) for the precious blood of Jesus.
Jesus taught this principle while He walked upon the earth saying:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life
will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses
his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul"
(Matt. 16:14-16)?
What do you consider to be most precious? If it is the blood of
Jesus your life will be greatly impacted. You will put Jesus, and
service to Him, first in your life - everything else will come second
to Jesus. You will be blessed for your commitment to Jesus - first
in this life and then in eternal life.
Is the blood of Jesus precious to you? Do others know that Jesus'
blood is precious to you because of your manner of life? Does Jesus
know that you consider His blood precious?
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