We sing hymns like “There is power in the blood” and “Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” But, why do we sing about the blood? The answer was found in the crimson stream that flowed from the Garden of Eden to the cross of crucifixion at Golgotha, and wherever that stream flowed sins were washed away, men and women were cleansed, set free, and made worthy to stand before God and to do His service.
That there is power in the blood is the message Jesus preached as He went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, sharing the “good news” of the kingdom and healing every sickness and disease. Though not everybody listened to Him as He spoke—the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ gladly gathered around to hear him. Indignantly, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered and pointed their fingers, “This man welcomes sinners.” Sadly, now as then people still criticize, or fail to listen to, the liberating message proclaimed by Jesus Christ.
This book is all about the “good news” which Jesus proclaimed. Traced on its pages is evidence of the redeeming and cleansing power of the blood. The word redemption also includes many additional blessings; reconcilliation, cleansing, and protection are examples. Views of Jesus’ life, His handling of temptations, His teaching, and His activities on the final week of His life on earth are summarized.
Things seemed exceedingly dark as His cross was emptied and His tomb filled and sealed, before the beginning of the Sabbath so long ago. That Sabbath found many distraught believers who couldn’t fathom what had just happened. But Sunday was coming and with its dawning came the “good news” of his resurrection and defeat of death. So what is the “good news?” It is nothing less than Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Nothing more. In this “good news” we still rejoice.
Dr. Warren E. Hathaway served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, worked as an electronics engineer researching military air defense systems, and later pursued a career in education, earning a doctorate from the University of Alberta. He is the author of several books, research studies, and professional articles. He has received national and international awards in education and technology. An active Christian now retired, he continues to write and teach.
