The Shower of Jesus’ Blood

By Joy Cochran

12.31.2023

Have you ever noticed that when you want to feel good about yourself, it's easy to find someone who is down in the dumps to compare yourself to, and suddenly you feel much better? Likewise, when you are set on martyrdom, you find so many others whose lives seem perfect, and your “Woe is me!” echoes through the depths of your soul. The problem with both of these approaches is that they focus on me, and when we are the focal point, we will never be satisfied. Our souls long for much more depth. We want to be known and loved, but that type of vulnerability seems so risky.

As a result, we look for a safer approach, perhaps something more measurable or black and white. We like neat cause-and-effect diagrams, so we find our way to religion and legalism which point to our efforts. But, no matter how hard we try, we can't make our way to God's good graces. As we learn in Isaiah 64:6, we have nothing to offer. Even what we see as our “righteous” deeds are considered filthy rags to a perfect, holy God. If we left it at that, what a depressing message this would be.

We can't clean ourselves up enough or somehow make ourselves presentable enough. The outward facade we work so hard to put on means nothing. God is not fooled. “Right behavior” does not equal right standing with God. Just read Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5-7, and it's easy to see that God cares far more about the condition of our hearts. The problem is that we have been indoctrinated by our culture and rehearsed the story in our minds. We think that we have to prove ourselves worthy or somehow be able to pay back at least part of this debt we owe. That, my friend, is where we are so very wrong.

We need to be willing to stand before God naked and recognize that even the “good” we attempt to clothe ourselves in means nothing. It is only a barrier to seeing ourselves for who we truly are…the lost sheep in need of Jesus’ gentle rescue (Luke 15:3-7). It sounds scary, but when we humbly approach His throne, God is completely safe. Think of how shamelessly Adam and Eve walked in the Garden of Eden in the very presence of God…

When we step into the shower of Jesus’ blood, our eyes are open to the depth of the Father’s  love and the comfort of His presence, the very Spirit of God ministering directly to us. We are no longer fooling ourselves with whitewashing our bodies of death. Instead, we are made alive as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and begin to see clearly what He has called us to, this mission to join Him in loving people into the Kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20). When we grasp His unconditional love for us and sense the unwavering security He provides (Romans 8), our hearts melt before Him. To receive such grace when we know we don't deserve it, is so humbling. Until we have seen ourselves as the one in need of His rescue, we will never share His heart for the lost. But, once we get that, it changes us, and we can't help but want to share this crazy love that God offers to any and all who will receive it.

Precious Lord,

Thank you for the gift of Your Son. We are so humbled by your incredible love  recognizing that it isn't about our worthiness or our ability to somehow repay You someday. Rather, it is about You, the very essence of Love (1 John 4), choosing us as Your own, adopting us as Your sons and daughters, and dispelling our fears. May we share Your heart and look more and more like You, “[the God of Peace], as You sanctify [us] completely, and may [our] whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [You, the Faithful One, have called us and You] will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:23‭-‬24‬ ‭ESV‬‬).

In the mighty power of the name of Jesus we pray,

Amen.