I Plead the Precious Blood of Jesus

What does it mean to ‘plead the blood of Jesus?’ I often plead the precious blood of Jesus. Amazing power is released as we do this!

The power released when we plead the blood of Jesus is not because we have said some magic words. Likewise, when we pray ‘in the name of Jesus,’ it is not the use of magic or repetitive words that makes our prayers effective.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Matt 6:7

So what is it to plead the blood of Jesus? While our confessions are important, pleading the blood of Jesus and offering our prayers in the name of Jesus have more to do with our hearts than with our words. It is when we understand and believe the simple truth behind pleading the blood of Jesus and praying in His name, that a world of answered prayer and Divine intervention opens to us.

Think back to when you were first born again. It is when we are first saved that we really understand what it means to plead the blood of Jesus. It is when we have nothing to offer God but brokenness and strife, confusion and shame that we throw ourselves wholly on His mercy and receive His grace. 

It is when we are bankrupt spiritually that we put all our hope and faith in Christ and receive of His riches. It is when we are acutely aware of our own failings and abysmal track record that we humbly receive strength from One who is altogether perfect and reliable. This is what it is to plead the blood of Jesus and to make our every appeal and request to God in the name of Jesus Christ.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3

In the weeks following our salvation, Fiona and I experienced an exciting world of miracles, amazing answers to prayer, and incredible Divine connections. We moved in spiritual gifts without even knowing what they were! Even though we had nothing to offer Him, we believed the simple truth that God had washed us clean and received us and lavished us with His love and favour. We believed the simple truth behind pleading the blood and praying in the name of Jesus … before we even knew to confess those words!

To plead the blood of Jesus is to make no demands upon the blessings and provisions of God’s exciting Kingdom … apart from Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

To plead the blood of Jesus is to cry out for Daddy God’s intervention and help … on the merits of Christ alone.

To plead the blood of Jesus is to find shelter and protection behind the ‘Blood line,’ abandoning any personal claims of righteousness.

To plead the precious blood of Jesus is to draw on the power of Christ alone to save, heal, and deliver … resting completely in our identification and spiritual union with Him.

Labor to see the emptiness, shortness, and pollution that clings to man’s own righteousness. This also must in some measure be known before a man can know the nature of the love of Christ. John Bunyan (1692), The Saint’s Knowledge of Christ’s Love.

The god of this world and accuser of the brethren hates the blood of Jesus. For whoever pleads the Blood – understanding and believing the simple truth that Christ has become his righteousness – finds that Satan’s power and dominion is completely nullified. That’s why the devil’s most subtle device is not the temptation that appeals to sensual lusts but rather the temptation to commend oneself to God. To commend oneself to God is spiritual pride; it is to fall from grace. It is sheer folly.

How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Gal 3:3

As rewarding and liberating as it is to pursue holiness, our progress in sanctification can never be the grounds for coming to the Father or receiving anything from Him. It is faith that pleases God; not self-righteousness. There is only One found worthy and it is as we locate ourselves in Him that we experience the fullness of the joy of the Kingdom. As we journey ever further along the pilgrim's road, let us treasure and guard carefully the simple Gospel truths we embraced as penitent sinners.

And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:13-14

Let us forever believe and confess that our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. This is what it means to plead the blood of Jesus. This is what it means to pray in the name of Jesus.