The Blood of Christ” by Olivia Patricia

As the cliché goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. If this is true, what words does this painting evoke? As we prepare for Good Friday and Easter celebrations this week, what thoughts come to mind when you see this? What emotions do you feel? Is there anything striking that sicks out? Anything you may have overlooked at first glance? Where are your hands in this painting? Are they even depicted on the page?
As I reflected on this painting (actually, I had the privilege of seeing the artist’s original; this one is her do-over), I was immediately struck by a vision of my hands holding the nails at the top of the page, confronted with the reality that I’m the one whose sin caused Jesus to sacrifice Himself. As I continued to look past the mere paint on a canvas, my eyes were opened in a new way to the reality of my tremendous need of forgiveness, my need to be covered in the blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and I could also see my hands reaching up, longing to touch just one drop of the cleansing blood. Inspired by Kandace’s painting, I wrote this song, borrowing her title:

The Blood of Christ

This is the blood of Christ washing over me;
this is the blood of Christ setting me free!
This is the blood of Christ cleansing my black soul;
this is the blood of Christ making me forever whole.

You saved me,
You saved me, You rescued me!
Lord, You saved me, You saved me,
Hallelujah!

This is Your body, casting out all fear;
this is Your body drawing me forever nearer.
This is Your body broken for me;
heaven’s sacrifice to save us for all eternity.

Embracing the cross You took my shame,
bore and suffered searing pain.
You paid the price, all for my gain;
You give me life and call me by name.
You purged my sin on Calvary,
by Your amazing grace I’m free!
I’ll sing with the angels glad harmony.
Forevermore my praise will be:
Hallelujah, halle-hallelujah!
Hallelujah, halle-hallelujah!

Hallelujah! He has saved us! There can be no other right response than hallelujahs, highest praise for such a sacrifice. For those of us who have been Christians for several years and have heard the Gospel story over and over again, I fear that sometimes we sweep over it too quickly. My prayer and challenge for us is that we will focus our minds and hearts on the aspects of our faith that this Holy Week commemorates. I hope that through this painting and these lyrics you, too, will be inspired to reflect on the blood of Christ, His sacrifice, and what that means for you. May the Spirit give deeper revelation as we look on the familiar images of the cross, drawing us even closer to Himself.

Tabitha Rozeluk