I am thrilled to embark with you on a new, profound, and transformative sermon series, titled: “The Power of the Blood.”
This series will explore one of the most fundamental, yet often misunderstood, truths of our Christian faith: the incredible and transformative power found in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Today, for our first message, we lay a vital foundation. We will journey back to the very moments of Jesus’ suffering and identify seven “aspersions,” or outpourings, of His precious blood. These were not random events; they were deliberate and prophetic acts that released divine power for our redemption and victory.
The foundational scripture for this entire series, and for today’s message, comes from the book of Revelation, Chapter 12, verse 11. Let’s read it together:
Revelation 12:11 NIV
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
This verse declares a powerful truth: We overcome! We triumph! And the keys to that victory are two-fold: the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Today, we focus on the first part: the power inherent in the Blood itself, particularly as it was poured out during Jesus’ sacrifice.
Illustration: The Blood on the Doorposts
To understand the profound significance of the Blood, let’s look back at an ancient story, found in the book of Exodus, Chapter 12 – the very first Passover.
The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, groaning under cruel bondage. God was about to deliver them, but first, a final and devastating plague was coming upon Egypt: the death of the firstborn. However, for His people, God provided a way of escape, a sign of protection.
He commanded each family to select a spotless lamb, sacrifice it, and collect its blood. It couldn’t be just any blood, but the blood of this specific, perfect lamb. Then, they were to take a bunch of hyssop – a common plant – dip it in the basin of blood and use it as a brush to apply blood to the top and sides of their doorframes.
The instruction was clear:
“When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.” Exodus 12:23 NIV
Think about this for a moment. The blood was in the basin – that’s where it was collected. But its protective power was only released, only effective, when it was applied to the doorframes. The hyssop was the instrument of application.
Today, we will look at the “basin” of Jesus’ suffering – the seven outpourings of His precious blood. But just like the Passover, this powerful blood, shed 2000 years ago, needs to be applied to our lives today. That application, as we will see later in this series, comes through our faith and the “word of our testimony.” (We’ll see this in another message in the series)
Let us now consider these seven aspersions of the Blood of Jesus:
The Seven Aspersions of the Blood: A Journey Through Suffering and Provision
In the Old Testament, in Leviticus 16, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would sprinkle blood seven times at the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:14) This was a prophetic shadow of the ultimate sacrifice. God declared in:
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” Leviticus 17:11 NIV
Jesus, our perfect Lamb, our High Priest, fulfilled this withHis own body. Each drop of His blood carried life, carried power, carried the weight of our salvation.
Let us trace His steps:
- The Blood in the Garden of Gethsemane
“And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44 NIV
Before the physical beating started, before the nails, Jesus shed blood in the Garden. This was blood shed under immense emotional and spiritual agony, as He contemplated the horrifying weight of all humanity’s sin that He was about to bear. He was making a choice: “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
This first outpouring of blood covers our wilfulness, our rebellion, and our resistance to God’s will. It was here that He conquered the power of self-will, redeeming our choices and offering us a path of submission and obedience to God.
- The Blood from His Beaten Face
Mark 14:65 NIV
“Then some began to spit on Jesus; they blindfolded Him and struck Him with their fists. ‘Prophesy!’ they said. And the guards took Him and beat Him.”
After His arrest, Jesus was dragged before the High Priest and beaten mercilessly. His face, the very image of God, was spat upon, struck, and disfigured. Isaiah prophetically declared that “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form marred beyond human likeness.” Isaiah 52:14 (NIV)
This blood shed from His face redeems us from shame, humiliation, and rejection. It covers every time we have felt unloved, unwanted, or disfigured by life’s cruelties. His blood washes away the stains of our past rejections and makes us accepted in the Beloved.
- The Blood from His Torn Beard
Isaiah 50:6 NIV
“I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.”
Imagine the brutality: they physically tore out chunks of His beard. In that culture, a man’s beard was a sign of dignity, honour, and authority. To pull it out was the ultimate act of degradation and contempt.
This third outpouring of blood redeems us from dishonour, false accusations, and the shame of public disgrace. When the enemy tries to strip you of your dignity, remember the blood from His torn beard. It restores your honour and standing before God.
- The Blood from His Scourged Back
Matthew 27:26 NIV
“Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”
The Roman scourging was a horrific punishment, designed to bring a person to the brink of death. A whip with embedded pieces of bone and metal would rip flesh from the body. Jesus’ back was a mangled, bleeding mess. Isaiah 53:5 NIV declares:
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
This blood, shed from His scourged back, brings healing to our physical and emotional wounds.
Every sickness, every disease, every pain – Jesus bore it on His back so we could walk in divine health.
- The Blood from His Crowned Head
John 19:2-3 NIV
“The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they slapped Him in the face.”
A crown of long, sharp thorns was pressed into His scalp, causing blood to stream down His face. This was a crown of mockery, a symbol of the curse, meant to humiliate the “King of the Jews.”
This blood redeems us from the curse of sin, from mental torment, confusion, and oppressive thoughts. It breaks the power of every negative thought pattern, every stronghold of the mind, and every generational curse. His blood empowers us to have the mind of Christ.
- The Blood from His Nailed Hands and Feet
Luke 23:33 NIV
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left.”
The ultimate act of crucifixion involved large nails piercing His hands and feet, fastening Him to the cross. This was the pinnacle of His suffering, the complete surrender of His body.
This blood, flowing from His hands and feet, redeems us from the works of our own hands and the paths we have walked in sin.
It breaks the bondage of addiction, compulsion, and every work of the flesh. His blood consecrates our hands to do His work and guides our feet in His righteous paths. It also covers our failures, our shortcomings, and every area where we have fallen short of God’s glory.
- The Blood and Water from His Pierced Side
John 19:34 NIV
“Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.”
After His death, a soldier pierced His side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. This was a physical confirmation of His death, but it carried profound spiritual meaning. The blood speaks of atonement and redemption, while the water speaks of purification, sanctification, and the life-giving Spirit.
This final outpouring confirms our complete salvation, cleansing, and the new life we receive in Him.
It signifies the birth of the church, washed by His blood and inhabited by His Spirit. Through this blood, we have continuous cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7) and access to God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-20).
Our Victory Through His Blood
My dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on these seven aspersions, we must not see them merely as historical events. They are the foundation of our victory!
Revelation 12:11 NIV says:
“They triumphed over Him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”
The blood was shed. The “basin” is full. Jesus has done His part. Now, the power of that blood is waiting to be activated in your life. It’s not just a theological concept; it’s a living reality!
Next week, we will begin to delve into the practical applications of this blood, exploring the provisions that the Blood gives us: redemption, purification, justification, sanctification, life, intercession, and access. We will learn how, like the hyssop, our confession, our testimony, applies the power of the Blood to every area of our lives.
But for today, let this truth settle deep in your spirit: Every part of your humanity, all areas of need, were covered by an outpouring of Jesus’ blood.
Are you struggling with shame from your past? The blood from His beaten face covers it. Are you battling sickness? The blood from His scourged back brings healing!
Are you tormented by your thoughts? The blood from His crowned head brings peace. Are you bound by sin or any kind of addiction? The blood from His nailed hands and feet sets you free.
The enemy, Satan, is the accuser of the church. He tries to remind you of your past, your failures, your weaknesses. But you have an answer: The Blood of the Lamb!
His blood is stronger than any accusation, any sin, any sickness, any bondage. The shed Blood speaks a better word than condemnation; it speaks of mercy, forgiveness, and victory!
As we wrap up, I want us to take a moment to reflect. Wherever you are today, whatever challenge you face, know that Jesus’ blood was shed for that. It was shed for you.
Perhaps you have addictions in your life from which you need to be set free of (cigarettes, alcohol, pornography, immorality, etc.). Remember that the blood that flowed from His hands and feet breaks the bondage of addiction, compulsion, and every work of the flesh.
You don’t have to remain captive, because the price for your liberation has already been paid! You need to apply the Blood of Jesus and declare your freedom and live as a loved and free child!
Let’s declare our victory this morning. Begin to declare that through the Blood of Jesus you are free from sin, from addiction, and you are forgiven and justified! You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.
God bless you