DAILY READING
REFLECTION
A Better Word
by Beth Voltmann
Perhaps, like me, you can remember the first day of each college course when you would read the syllabus provided by the professor. I don’t know about you, but I usually felt overwhelmed in that moment. In the same way, this small passage of Scripture, breathed out by the Spirit of God to be recorded by the writer of Hebrews, serves up a brilliant but immense amount of Covenant theology, promise, hope, and awe at first glance! It’s enough to make me tremble at the challenge. Instead, I will settle my mind and ask God to guide my focus knowing that He is always faithful to reveal Jesus!
Throughout Scripture, God often uses personification for emphasis:
· In the Old Testament, God addressed the weight of sin and evil after Cain killed his brother, Abel.
The LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” (Gen 4:10)
· In the New Testament, God reveals the power of Christ’s blood - that of our Passover Lamb—the sacrifice offered to atone for our sins.
“You have come to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:23-24)
What was the better word spoken through the shedding of Christ’s blood?
The spilled blood of Abel cried out for vengeance and justice.
Christ’s sacrificial blood declared forgiveness and redemption.
God fulfilled the Old Covenant law by sacrificing His own Son in our place.
Therefore, Christ’s blood speaks a better word—Mercy.
Christ’s death and resurrection ushered in God’s New Covenant of Grace.
Listen as God’s Word confirms this saving truth:
· "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
(John 1:17)
· “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13b)
· "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Col 1:19-20)
May we soberly consider how Jesus died for us, hear the word of redemption He offers, and receive this great gift of mercy and grace poured out through His shed blood.
"See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks." (Hebrews 12:25)
PRAYER
In praise, we can each lift our voice with words from the well-known hymn:
Nothing But The Blood of Jesus
by Robert Lowry
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
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