While walking through an airport, Trina noticed the book, The Power of the Blood of Christ, in a store. She wanted to buy it and I thought to myself, “Why do I need that book? I’ve been raised in church and know all about that topic.” When I read it, I realized how much I needed to learn. The author, Andrew Murray said, “Faith is largely dependent on knowledge.” Arrogance will keep you from growing in knowledge, which limits your faith and results. Since then, my revelation knowledge and faith in the blood of Jesus has definitely grown.
To illustrate the lifesaving power of the blood of Jesus, we want to share our experience with our grandson, Dylan. He was diagnosed with stage 4 leukemia (cancer of the blood) when he was 3 years old. He was about to successfully finish his treatment when he relapsed. Dylan’s doctor said he needed a bone marrow transplant to save his life.
In preparation for the transplant, our family had a conference with the highly educated and experienced Dr. Yu from New Orleans, who was overseeing this process. After explaining what takes place in a transplant, she asked if we had any questions. I asked the doctor, “Why, after being told the leukemia was in remission, did it come back?”
I was so intrigued as she explained there are two kinds of remission. The first time Dylan went into remission, where the cancer was no longer active in his blood, was called molecular remission. Dr. Yu explained there is another kind of remission that we were going for with Dylan and the transplant. After a successful transplant, there would be absolutely no evidence of the cancer cells in the molecular level. She told us that is called absolute remission.
Gavin, Dylan’s brother, was chosen to be the donor and his life saving blood was drawn for three days, extracting his stem cells. Meanwhile, Dylan underwent the strongest chemo he’d ever had and days of intense radiation to destroy his diseased bone marrow, preparing the place for Gavin’s stem cells to be received.
On transplant day, we watched the bag of perfect lifesaving blood being hung on the pole next to Dylan’s bed. That pole reminded us of the cross where Jesus poured out His perfect life saving blood. We knew the lines into his chest were receiving that blood. Dr. Yu said, “Dylan, I want you to know we are getting ready to say goodbye to you! You’ll never be the same.”
The first six hours were critical. We imagined that when Gavin’s stem cells entered Dylan’s body, they would say, “I’m home!” Protecting and nurturing the stem cell graft was vital. A few weeks later, the doctor announced, “They’re multiplying! The graft is taking!” It wasn’t long before Dylan’s bone marrow was tested to be 100% Gavin’s! It is interesting to see how a transplant will change the host: the hair, eyes, skin, personality, the DNA - EVERYTHING IS NEW!
If medical science can do that, just think about what God can do with the new creation? Just as the chemotherapy could not bring absolute remission, neither could the Old Testament sacrifices remove sin consciousness. The Old Covenant offered forgiveness, but the sacrifices had to be repeated every year because it was impossible for them to remove the consciousness of sin or make the comers perfect (Hebrews 10:1-4).
The goal of a bone marrow transplant is absolute remission, which means there are absolutely no cancer cells in any molecules of the body. Instead of treating leukemia, there is a removal of the bone marrow, its source. Like in Dylan’s case, God found a donor, Christ Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, but instead of just forgiveness, there is absolute remission of sin. Remission means cancellation of penalty and removal of guilt. “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin,” (Hebrews 10:17-18). Colossians 1:22 in the Living Bible says, “He has done this through the death on the cross of his own human body, and now as a result Christ has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are standing there before him with nothing left against you—nothing left that he could even chide you for.” Sin has gone into 100% remission. The Old Testament sacrifices removed sin from God’s mind, but because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God removes sin consciousness from your mind.
Just as Gavin’s blood brought absolute remission, Jesus’ perfect blood brings us absolute remission. I can imagine God, our Great Physician saying, “I’m fixing to say goodbye to you!” There was a grafting process, where the divine nature of God recreated your spirit and changed everything. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP) says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in...], he is a new creature….” The Passion Translation says, “Behold, everything is fresh and new.” Say goodbye to the old you! Everything is new!
Dylan is now blood brothers with Gavin and there’s nothing left of his former DNA. In Christ, we have been “twinned” with Him. We are blood brothers with Christ, sharing His nature and identity. The power of God is released at the intersection of where faith and the blood meet. God lives in constant view of the blood of Christ, and we must, too. Faith in the blood of Jesus gives overcoming power (Revelation 12:11).
WORLD MISSIONS PARTNERS
This month we want to offer you our book, The Bloodline of a Champion and the CD set, The Precious Blood of Jesus. We believe these resources will strength your faith in the blood.
We are so thankful for your faithful World Missions partnership with us. We are continuing to preach the Gospel in many nations. The past few months we have ministered in Peru, Brazil, and Colombia and distributed our books that have been translated in their language. In just a few months we will be preaching in Beirut, Lebanon. The Word is growing and multiplying. Thank you for partnering with us as we take the Gospel to many nations.
In Christ,
Mark and Trina