May 25

Ye were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:19.

You were bought with a price. Christ paid for your release, bought you, and set you free. And what a price He paid! A thousand dollars? More. A million? More. What was the price? That which is more precious than all the world's gold and silver and gems; the price was His own blood, His life, the life of the Son of the Most High. It was the blood of God. Redeemed with the blood of God, you are redeemed indeed.

Christ's blood and His vicarious suffering is the only cause, foundation, and means of our salvation. This must be emphasized against all such rationalistic talk as if we were not redeemed solely by the blood and death of Christ, but also by His doctrine, His life, and His good example. To be sure, we also need the doctrine and example of Christ; but His bitter suffering and death is the only cause and means of our salvation. This must also be emphasized against the opinion of the enthusiasts, as if not the Christ for us, that is, the Christ who has shed His blood for us, were the main and only cause of our redemption and salvation, but rather the Christ in us, that is, the Christ who lives in our hearts through faith, renewing and sanctifying us. No, the Lutheran Church knows of only one means of redemption — the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. This is confirmed by Christ, our Lord, Himself, who said that He came to give His life a ransom for many. And all the prophets and apostles, with one accord, proclaim this message to a lost world. Also the hosts of heaven give glory and honor and thanks to the Lamb that has redeemed us to God by His blood. Our Lutheran Church, too, voices this truth, that Christ has redeemed, purchased, and won us with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death. The apostle's curse falls upon all those who look upon their own good works as a cause of their salvation.

Prayer.

Merciful, heavenly Father, blot out my transgressions according to Thy great mercy, which is greater than the sins of all mankind. Purge me with hyssop and wash me with the pure blood of Thy Son, which He shed upon the cross. Let me always remember that His blood is the only foundation of my eternal bliss, the price

with which He bought me. Let me beware of robbing Him of the honor of being my only Savior, as well as of this honor, that His blood is the sole cause of my salvation. And now I belong to Him; I am His own, His property, since He has bought me with that price. Dear Lord Jesus, let me be Thy own forever. I come to Thee just as I am — do not cast me out. I know Thou wilt not do it. Amen.

Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!