Perfectly Free!

As I reflect on my Easter celebrations, I am left thinking about a specific message I heard. It was the message of Jesus atoning blood. I've watched the Passion, read the scriptures and envisioned the pain of Jesus death many times. Always I saw the horrible, the unthinkable pain that he endured, but until this weekend, I hadn't stopped to think about the depth of the blood's symbolization.

Jesus bled from 7 different areas of his body. Throughout the Bible 7 is a symbol of perfection. Jesus' blood perfectly redeems us and sets us free from absolutely every sin we have committed, are committing and those that will be committed in the future. Let me explain.
1: The crown of thorns that was shoved on his innocent head caused him to bleed. That blood trickled over his head, his ears, his mouth, his eyes. It covers anything we sinfully thought, seen, spoken, and heard.
2-3: Both of his hands bled. His blood covers everything we've sinfully touched, held and done.
4: His back was beaten to an unrecognizable state. This blood covers our sins and every time we've turned our back on him to do things our own way.
5: The sword pierce his side and the organs within. This blood covers our feelings and emotions that have led us into sin and shame.
6-7: As the nail pierced his feet, Jesus blood covered his feet. Therefore, covering everywhere we have been. Every wrong step, every sinful situation we've walked into has been cleansed from our record.

Dear Sweet Friend,
This blood, the blood of the lamb, was given with you and I specifically in mind. Without it we would have eternal separation from God. But when we choose Jesus, we are completely, perfectly forgiven. The shame, the weight, the torment are gone. We are free because of his incredible love.