"Football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important than that."
The blood of Jesus
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19I will never forget the moment I introduced myself to an athlete, saying I was a Christian and that I tried to support elite athletes. The athlete replied: “What do you mean by Christian? Do you believe in the blood of Jesus?”
What a brilliant question to assess if someone is a genuine Christian! It is the starting point, the basis of fellowship, what we have in common. It is the touchstone of our faith.
On the day of judgement the issue will not be, whether we have been “good”, whether we have reached the pass-mark – just as well as we haven’t! It won’t be about what we have done but about what Jesus has done.
As the writer to the Hebrews says, it is about having confidence in the blood of Jesus, shed for us. When I take part in a communion service or Eucharist, I always find it very powerful when the person giving me the wine uses the words “The blood of Jesus shed for you”.
Confidence is important. Without confidence we are afraid to do anything. But confidence has to be well placed. As an athlete, if you have trained hard and are prepared well, you can go the race confident.
When you contemplate the end of your life and wonder what will happen after death, believing in the power of the blood of Jesus will give you confidence that you will enter the eternal “Most Holy Place”.