My husband loves to watch Sunday morning news programs. This past Sunday, there was a story that he had me watch about a man who creates art with his own blood. It was amazing what he was able to do.

This man has created a crazy system. It’s a large contraption where his blood flows through tubing and eventually is put on paper through a pen of some type. With the help of a computer, the machine draws little squiggly things on paper and when it is complete, there is an actual picture of a person, place or thing.

Well, let me tell you about another man who was willing to use His own blood as well to paint a beautiful picture; a more beautiful picture. A picture of grace. A picture of forgiveness. A picture of new life. A picture of hope. A picture of you!

Hebrews 9 gives us a deeper understanding of Jesus’ blood. You may want to take some time read through Hebrews 9:11-28, but here are some of the highlights about the blood of Jesus.

• Jesus entered the Most Holy Place by His own blood for eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).
• The blood of Christ cleanses our consciences so that we may serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14)!
• Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 9:15).
• The first covenant was put into place with blood (Hebrews 9:18).
• Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22).
• Jesus’ blood sacrifice was once and for all (Hebrews 9:12; 26; 28).

Here’s something cool too. The Voice version has translated Hebrews 9:23-24 this way. “Since what was given in the old covenant was the earthly sketch of the heavenly reality, this was sufficient to cleanse the earthly sanctuary; but in heaven, a more perfect sacrifice was needed. The Anointed One did not enter into hand-crafted sacred spaces—imperfect copies of heavenly originals—but into heaven itself, where He stands in the presence of God on our behalf.”

In these verses we see a sketch. The painting. This is where Jesus stands on our behalf in God’s presence. Jesus has painted this scene with His own blood.

Can you see the picture? Do you recognize your face among the droplets of Jesus’ blood? I pray that you see it. He was willing to shed His blood for your sin. For your forgiveness. For your salvation. What a beautiful picture!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna