Devotion: The Significance of the Cross and Power in the Blood

By: Feston Konzani

I wish to share with you the significance of Our Lord Jesus’ death as well as the Cross. Let us reflect on what Christ’s death mean to us as we continue to walk this newness of life which he purchased for us at a price and redeeming us from sin.

We know that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins and today I want to look at seven specific and strategic areas that bled and where blood came out as He atoned for our sins.

THE HEAD

We know that He wore a crown of thorns on his head and blood gushed out.

THE BEARD (CHIN)

We also know that it is written that He has his beard pulled out and this caused blood to come out.

THE BACK

It is written that He was whipped on His back that there was blood coming out and that it was at the back that He carried the Cross to Calvary.

HIS HANDS

The nails were driven through His hands and undoubtedly blood came out from the nail pierced hands.

HIS FEET

Our Saviour’s feet were also nailed to the cross and we cannot but see the blood coming out.

HIS SIDE

While on the Cross the soldier pierced through his chest and blood came out mixed with water

In total there are seven areas where our Saviour bled.

Now Let us examine each of these areas in relation to what it means for our redemption and salvation.

THE HEAD: This is where the human brain is located.  This is where all thought processes take place and when the crown of thorns was placed on His head and blood flowed, it was to redeem man’s ability to think. The crown of thorns was not placed on his head as a coincident.  It was strategically placed there for a special purpose and reason. The Bible says, as Man thinks in his head, so is he. The mind is the devil’s battle ground and the blood that was shed to redeem man’s corrupt and twisted mentality. This makes it possible to “Renew our Mind” without which, it would have been completely impossible.

THE BEARD:  In ancient Israel, man’s beard represented honour and dignity.  When they pulled off his beard and blood came out, it represented him being put to shame.  Taking our shame upon Himself so that we will be honoured, glorified and accepted in the beloved. This was a sign of total humiliation and because he willingly allowed this to happen to him, we are exalted because the blood that came out purchased for us a complete freedom from shame.

THE BACK:  The back is that which supports the entire human structure. In order to carry any heavy load, the back has to be able to support the weight.  Our Saviour had his back whipped and used it to carry the heavy Cross Via Dolorosa to Calvary.  When the blood came out, it was to purchase for us the freedom from worry and all the cares of this world knowing that he carried it all away that day and paid for it through the shedding of blood. It is written, “Surely He has borne our sicknesses, and He carried our pain; yet we esteemed Him plagued, smitten by Elohim, and afflicted .But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His wounds we ourselves are healed.

HIS TWO HANDS:  Nails were driven through each of his hands and undoubtedly, blood came out. This was so everything we

touched shall be a blessing.  The curse meant that everything we touched was cursed.  But when the blood came out of his hands, he willingly surrendered to pay for our ability to say together with Paul “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.  The work of our hands is blessed because the blood from his nai- driven-hands paid for it in full.  This is one thing the enemy does NOT want us to know and appreciate.

HIS FEET: His feet were nailed to the cross and blood came out.  The curse meant that it was impossible for the fallen man to walk uprightly not only before God but also before his fellow human beings. The blood from his feet had to be shed so that man can walk uprightly before God as well as men.  Every place that he would tread would be a blessed territory holy unto the LORD. The feet are an important feature for a human being and as such, special attention had to be given to it so that whatever place man will occupy and wherever he goes, he will carry the redemption of the blood with him. Halleluiah!

HIS SIDE (CHEST): When he was hanging on the cross, suspended between heaven and earth dying for our complete redemption, a

soldier pierced his side with a spear and it is written that a mixture blood and water came out.  The chest is where all the vital organs are located including the heart and the lungs. The spear piercing through his chest was to buy out our brokenness.  Everything that had been broken or will ever break (Relationships, broken hearts, families, health etc) had to be specifically paid for in blood.  He shed that blood from his chest so that you and I can be made whole.

These are the seven areas that were specifically given Our Master’s special attention and looking at each of these areas, we will see that the whole person is wholly and totally redeemed.  None of the areas that bled are without significance.  These were purposely given attention to so that when He said ‘IT IS FINISHED’ it was indeed finished.  The work of our redemption from the curse was indeed completed and everything was paid for in full by the shed blood of the lamb on that cross that day.

Beloved, even if there was only one person inhabiting the earth, Jesus would still have died to save that ONE person.  Remember, it is written that the lamb was crucified before the foundations of the world, meaning that you were in God’s mind and His plan and purpose for your redemption was in place way back when you were not even born, before time began and before you committed your first offence like Adam your earthly father.

Would you not love this Saviour, this Great Redeemer, Mighty Saviour and Deliverer who gave up everything that He himself had made to die so that you and I can say ‘Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see; ‘would you not love Him who bled in all strategic places in order to strategically buy our salvation? Would you not make Him LORD over your life today? Make the decision and make it quick while there is still breath in you. The Cross and His death on it is very significant and neither you nor I can ignore the fact that “There is no remission of sins without the shedding of blood”.  Make Him your personal LORD and Saviour today! Be blessed and stay blessed.