Where Did The Blood Go?

We, as Christians, and particularly Southern Christians, might be a little focused (maybe rabidly) on the blood of Jesus.  We sing Precious Blood, Nothing But The Blood, Oh The Blood ... you get the point.  Jesus' blood is precious, healing and cleansing.  I had a strange thought as I was reflecting on Easter, the Crucifixion and upon passages like Revelation 12:10-11 ... "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now is come salvation and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before God day and night.  And they overcame them by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives, unto the death."

Three things stand out from this apocalyptic passage from the middle of a great conflict in heaven and on earth.  The first is the term, "they."  Who are "they?"  My answer ... The Church! Jesus lived, loved, and poured Himself into this mission to save the world through His sacrifice, and the vehicle that He brings into existence, beginning with Matthew 16 is, the Church.  His blood flowed into the ground at the foot of the cross, but His lifeblood flowed into the Church.  And, in Matthew 16, Jesus said, "and the very gates of hell will not prevail against it (the Church)."  Jesus blood flowed into the Church, and they (the Church) overcame them (the minions of evil) "by the blood of the Lamb."

Jesus' blood also flowed into the words of faithful testimony.  Another component of the victory in Revelation 12 is the "testimony of the Saints."  This, to me, highlights the value of the parts of our worship where we share our "stories."  It is the very act of being "living stones" which are witnesses to what God has done.  In the words of Kim Hill, "When I remember what You've done, when I remember the shedding of Your blood, I can't help but worship you!"

She is witnessing to the truth of God's salvation through Jesus!

Finally, Revelation 12 reflects the need to love and live beyond our narcissistic tendencies.  If life or Church is about us, it is not about Jesus or the Bride of Christ.  We are constantly choosing the smallness of self and "ME" or the vastness of God's Kingdom.  The voice from heaven in Revelation 12 proclaims, "Now has come salvation and strength and the Kingdom of God."  Our salvation and the strength to do life, comes from Jesus and being "in the Kingdom."  The Church does life in the beauty and depth of the Kingdom of God (on earth as it is in heaven).  Jesus' blood flows through the river of His Kingdom.

David said, in Psalm 118 ... "The Lord is my strength and my salvation."  The Church of Revelation 12 accepts and applies this strength and salvation by being covered by the blood of the Lamb, by sharing their testimony about the goodness of God, and by living in His Kingdom amid a warring and troubled world.  I don't know about you, but I choose the blood of the Lamb that was slain ... the one who is salvation ... the one who takes away the sins of the world!  AMEN!