“And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”
—Exodus 30:10
THE TEACHING of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is clear regarding God’s forgiveness of man’s sin. Only a perfect blood sacrifice can satisfy God’s requirement of holiness. Throughout the Old Testament, much is told about the bloody sacrifices that the priests had to make on behalf of their sins and the sins of the people (Ex. 30:10; Lev. 17:11). But the blood of bulls and goats could never satisfy God’s justice against sin. The Father’s gift of salvation to sinners required His sinless Son’s life blood. Now, when God looks at the believer, He sees Christ’s shed blood and declares us righteous for Jesus’ sake. Our acceptance with God the Father rests completely and solely upon the merits of the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ.
ROBERT LOWRY was a popular Baptist pastor. Later in his life he became interested in writing and publishing Gospel songs. Today he is best remembered for his hymn entitled, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus”, which was published in 1876. Though simply stated both textually and musically (a five note melodic range and just two chords), this Gospel song has had an important place in the church’s ministry in teaching both young and old the absolute necessity of trusting implicitly in the precious blood of Christ for the cleansing of all our sins.
LOWRY WROTE, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; what can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! For my pardon this I see – nothing but the blood of Jesus; for my cleansing, this my plea – nothing but the blood of Jesus. Nothing can for sin atone – nothing but the blood of Jesus; naught of good that I have done – nothing but the blood of Jesus. This is all my hope and peace – nothing but the blood of Jesus; this is all my righteousness – nothing but the blood of Jesus.” And notice the blessed refrain that Lowry penned, “Oh! Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!” Lowry, no doubt, based these words upon Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Are you trusting in Jesus’ blood and righteousness alone as the only means by which your sins can be cleansed before the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? Scripture says it plain and clear, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Look to Jesus this day and always because He is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
Friday Devotional: February 13, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
