Essential Jesus

At the moment I am in the middle of a reading plan called Essential Jesus. Today's reading about the first Passover reminded me yet again of how essential he is.

The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.. - Ex 12 v 13

By sacrificing a lamb and sprinkling some blood God could see obedience and was prepared to passover a home and not bring judgement. But God does not want to ignore sin he wants to deal with it. That's why Jesus was essential.

But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world ... - Heb 10 v 4 - 5

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. - Heb 10 v 12

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. - Heb 10 v 14

The blood of a lamb would wear off of a door post very quickly. Within a few days or weeks it would be gone and possibly forgotten to be reapplied 12 months later. Jesus blood was spilt once and for all never to lose its power. In the words of the old Charles Wesley Hymn, "Oh for a thousand tounges to sing":

He breaks the power of canceled sin;
He sets the prisoner free.
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood avails for me!