Cherish Him in Every Way

Michael E. Wood
February 26, 2011

Leviticus 17:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the people of Israel and say to them, This is the thing that the LORD has commanded.

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

These may seem to be strange passages to use as a prelude to worship, and yet they remind us that Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly by His life, and by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Christ took our guilt upon Himself that we might be made holy. And it is by His sacrifice that the atonement was made by which we have peace with God, for Christ Himself Is our Peace.

Have you ever pondered the vastness of the volume of blood that has been spilt in sacrifices since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden? From the first animal slain by God to make a covering for Adam and Eve and the blood of Abel, who being dead yet speaketh; to the countless number of animals offered through the Mosaic Covenant and of all the godly martyrs which continue to mount? Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. (Ps.116:15) From oppression and violence He redeems their life, and precious is their blood in His sight. (Ps. 72:14), and John saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the witness they had born. ( Rev. 6:9)

And yet, it is through the precious shed blood of Jesus Christ of which we have remission of sins. It is His blood that cleanses us from all sins, making the offering up of ourselves to God acceptable through reasonable service unto the praise of His glorious grace.

Of all the blood of bulls and goats
Which mounted through the years,
And that of all the martyrs shed
Triumphant in their spheres--

All totaled they but scant display
The precious life that Jesus gave.
For God Himself in human flesh
Shed blood for wretched men to save.

Christ is the altar of our souls
With full atonement made,
And glory brought to God the Father,
When for our sins He paid.

Oh ponder now how infinite
The price by which we’re bought,
And cherish HIM in every way;
By word, and deed and thought.

For Christ alone did satisfy
And fills our hearts desire
To magnify His Precious Name
With holy zeal and fire

To offer up the sacrifices
Of many thanksgivings and tell
In songs of joy, His infinite deeds
Where the praise of His glory doth dwell.