Reading: “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”—Matthew 20:28

The blood of Christ is a gift to His beloved ones, as Jesus Himself tells us here. So also in John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” His blood was the purest blood, His human nature being most pure. His blood was the noblest blood, and therefore called in Scripture “the blood of God” (Acts 20:28) by reason of the union between His divine and human nature.

It was His life-blood, His heart-blood He gave. It was not the blood of His finger, but the blood of His heart. It was precious blood.

Your pardon comes to you through His blood; your peace comes to you by His blood; your reconciliation is made by His blood; your acceptation is wrought by His blood, etc. Christ’s blood is heaven’s key; Christ’s blood is a preservative against the greatest evils. This is the gift of God: life and immortality though His blood.

(Taken from “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ” in The Works of Thomas Brooks, 3:105–106)

 

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
Unite my thankful heart with Thee
And reign without a rival there.
To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live;
Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give.

 —Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676)