Genesis 3:14-19 Understand the Curse to Understand the Cross

Genesis 3:14-19 ESV  The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.  (15)  I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."  (16)  To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."  (17)  And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;  (18)  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  (19)  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

It is all over the news.  In fact, you can hardly find an escape.  It is indeed everywhere and now they’re telling us it was here before we knew it was here.  They have us quarantined at home aside from essential trips to find groceries and such.  Why?  The coronavirus outbreak referred to as COVID-19.  This pandemic has certainly got our attention as it wreaks havoc across the globe with hundreds of thousands expected to lose their lives.  This, while the best scientists in the most advanced institutions in the world wrestle to gain the upper hand.

On this Good Friday when we remember the day of Christ’s crucifixion it brings us to the obvious question of why?  Why did Christ have to die on the cross and why is this coronavirus doing its best to kill us?

The answer is found in the passage referenced today referred to as, “The Curse”.  This act of God cursing his own creation was the result of the fall of Man.  Please review the passages preceding where the perfection of the garden was infected by the temptation of the serpent (Satan) resulting in the sin (something less than holy) of Adam and Eve.  That willful disobedience of the first man stained his kind.  That’s you and me.  We now have the nature of sin within us because of what Adam did.  And with that comes our inheritance of the curse.

In fact, the world from that point forward is living under the curse.  The curse of creation has actually been at work attacking through the ages and having a greater and greater effect.  A review of the patriarchs reveal a steady decline in the age to which they live.  Methuselah lived 969 years the oldest recorded living man.  But all of these early men lived for hundreds of years many more than 500.  As the curse persisted so did the decline in the age to which a normal man would live.

Only with the introduction of modern science, our deeper understanding of the pathogens of the curse have we been able to push back.  But are we pushing back successfully?  I mean real success.  Not just incremental improvement.  I would say, no.  Median lifespan is now in the high seventies approaching eighty.  That’s a far cry from 969.  And by the way, that life span of nearly 1000 years was not God’s design.  Man was created to be an eternal being.  Death was introduced with the curse.  None of us were ever supposed to die – full stop!

But with the curse came death and all the means toward death including yes, the coronavirus and this present COVID-19.  It is the result of the curse and it will be defeated by the scientists and our own immune system which God too created.

So what is the tie to this day; Good Friday?

Well, why would it be called “Good” when such a terrible thing happened?  How is the crucifixion of Christ “Good”?

Frankly, it was the only way.  In fact, it was the very purpose of Christ’s coming to this earth in the form of Man living in this cursed creation but doing so perfectly.  Living a sin free life.  That set him up to be the perfect sacrifice.  Not for himself, a sinless man requires no sacrifice.  Just go ahead, live a perfect life and find out.  Ooops, no you cant.  It’s not possible since you come from Adam and were born into the lineage of sin. 

So on this day some 2000 years ago the perfect was sacrificed for the imperfect.  His act of giving himself up on the cross as a holy sacrifice enables the restoration of mankind.  A reconciliation of the cursed back into the presence of a holy God.  His act breaks the curse.

But, whoa, hold on, you said that happened 2000 years ago.  Why do we have a pandemic today?

Well, that is simple to answer but hard to understand.  The simple answer is that God is merciful and full of grace.  You see the impact of the act of Christ on the cross is dependent on our faith.  We must believe what Christ did and believe He did it for us.  In order to do that, some of the generations prior to Christ looked forward to the cross anticipating the Messiah.  There are numerous examples of faithful people believing the promise of a deliverer and that faith being reckoned as righteousness.  Since the cross we look back with the same faith.  God’s grace has provided the time for this message to reach us.  In fact, He is providing time for all to hear and respond to this good news.

So what?  All this blather about reconciliation and sin and etc. etc.  Why does this all matter?  People are sick and dying.

Yep!  They are and they will continue to.  The coronavirus COVID-19 is a blessing in one simple way.  It has our attention.  It has brought the stark reality of life and death literally to our front door.  There is no escape from the cursed world in which we live.  That is, no escape other than through Christ.  Even then, we will all still die.  Well, except those who are still here when Christ comes to bring us home.  But that’s a story for another day.

For today, take a moment to reflect on the cross.  The sacrifice made for you.  Make the decision that this gift of grace is indeed for you and accept it.  You can do that right there where you are.  Just talk to God – in your head or out loud.  He’ll hear you.

And with me and the other Christians around the world anticipate with great joy the celebration of Easter on Sunday when we celebrate the victory of Christ as he conquered death and rose from the tomb.  Like Christ, we who believe will rise and join Him to live forever as originally intended.

The Curse is Broken!  AMEN

Exodus 20:1-6 Ego or Theo? Where is Your Center?

Exodus 20:1-6  Then God spoke all these words, saying,  "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.  "You shall have no other gods before Me.  "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,  but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (NASB)

Does anything in the passage above sound familiar?  It should!  What you have in this passage from Exodus is commandment one in a list of ten otherwise known as the ten commandments.  I would argue that the first is listed first for a reason.  Simply, it is the most important; the anchor.  It puts God in His place of supremacy and by inference everything else in its place.

In recent weeks I have encountered several situations in which the place of God has not been as black and white as it seems in these simple verses.  Do you believe what is written here?  Any arguments with commandment number one?  Do you have a problem with God’s claim here?

Frankly, those to whom I refer betrayed by their actions if not their words a really big problem with God’s own self declaration.  God says, “I am the LORD your God” and “You shall have no other gods before Me” and yet the behavior I have observed have indicated otherwise.

Now before you get ahead of me – the individuals in question had made claims of Christianity at least in some form.  Hmmmm!  How can that be?  You see, if God is in fact God and the behavior observed blatantly or otherwise indicated something different there must be a problem.  There was in fact a problem.

Sin was the problem.

Surely sin is a problem from which we all suffer.  As brothers of Adam we are all stained by the remnant of this sin whether saved by grace or still dead in our sin (unsaved) – our flesh still carries this blemish.  So in the case of my observation whether a professing Christian misbehaving or a faker, a wolf in sheep's clothing so to speak – the result was the same; sinful behavior.

The core issue is who is God?  Specifically, who is God in relation to you?  Who is the center of your universe?  Have you really surrendered to this commandment?  Do you indeed have, “No other god” before Him?  As believers when we fight the Spirit and yield to the flesh we put another god on the alter.  We become a god unto our-self as it were putting self ahead of God.  Have you ever considered it that way?  That’s the bottom line – each time we fail to submit yielding to self rather than the Lord we are putting ourselves in His place.  We become our god!

WOW!

If we don't actually put ourselves in that place - there are lot's of other small gods out there in today's culture to bow down to.  That’s exactly what Israel did in their continual struggle with idolatry throughout their wandering through the wilderness after their passage from Egypt.  What’s changed?  Sure, we don’t erect golden calves but boy there are hundreds of replacements in our lives that may become the object of our worship if we slip.  What is your center today?

Is God, the one God; your God?  Have you surrendered self?  Have you surrendered the other little gods of this world?

“Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6 NASB 

Why is that?  Jesus paid the price for those pesky sins that prevent us from having a relationship with a holy God for one.  Beyond that, Jesus mediates as our faithful High Priest in heaven having walked on this earth suffering as we do every temptation yet living a sinless life.  Jesus also sent us a helper – the Holy Spirit, so as believers the Spirit testifies to our spirit about the truth of our salvation and the way in which we should behave in this life.  He is quite a guy that Jesus, eternal God and second person of the trinity. 

If you haven't asked Jesus to do this for you it doesn't cost anything and you can't do anything to earn His favor.  All you have to do is ask.  Pray to Him!  On your knees in your heart or out loud just ask Jesus to save you from your sins.  Tell Him you accept His free gift that He offers to you having paid the price for your sins by dying on that cross in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.  Accept that gift by faith today and you will be saved.

Because of Jesus we can have victory over sin.  Yes, we’ll stumble but we do not have to claim the place of God for ourselves – that’s ridiculous!  Who wants that kind of responsibility?  AMEN!

Romans 2:28-29 Tender Hearted

Romans 2:28-29  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. (NASB)

Have you ever wondered about the label, “Tender hearted?”  I don’t know the actual origin of the phrase and at this point I have no interest in looking it up but I do think it fits particular people or moments in life.  I also think folks can build up layers of “Protection” for various reasons and wind up callused.  That callus though protective can also become a barrier to relationships; it can be a problem.

In the book of Romans Paul goes to great length to explain our Christian faith.  Many great men of faith have made it their lifetime endeavor to study and write on just this great book from our Bible.  It is deep and chewy and rich in helping us to understand the depraved state from which we come and the great gift of grace by the shed blood of Jesus which saves us.  If you grasp and believe what Paul presents in Romans your faith is on a solid foundation.

One of the themes presented early on is that there is no partiality in God between Jew or Greek.  That is, Jews and the rest of us.  He illustrates this with the picture of circumcision which of course was the ritual performed on every young Jewish boy prescribed in the Law setting them apart.  This ritual has its origin alongside the origin of the covenant God made with Abraham as a sign of that binding agreement.  We see it used throughout scripture including as the people of Israel wander through the wilderness.  Those who left Egypt had all been circumcised but those born in the wilderness were not.  Because of disobedience, the former generation were not allowed to enter the Promised Land and the sign of circumcision sorted the generations.  Before entering, Joshua was commanded to then circumcise this generation about to enter – Ouch!  There would have been up to 80 year old men (40 years x 2) uncircumcised that had to endure this ritual.

Back to Romans

Paul continues making this argument that the distinction between Jew and Greek is now gone.  And one of the chief symbols, circumcision of the flesh, is not what we should be considering.  Indeed, it is the circumcision of one’s heart that matters.

The verse makes the argument, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly” – what?  I thought this covenant and ritual was all about Abraham’s children.  Yes, it is – but it is Abraham’s offspring by faith that are counted.  That is the point here.  “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly” – by faith having that same connection Abraham did.  That is the covenant relationship.  The symbol of that covenant was circumcision so Paul makes the comparison, “Nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh” and continues, “And circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter”.

Whoa!  Those are fightin’ words Paul!  Do you mean the prescribed circumcision that generation upon generation of Jewish people have followed is of no value?  Yep!  That’s right.  As a symbol of the covenant God made with Abraham – circumcision of the flesh is of absolutely no value!  NONE!  That is exactly what Paul is saying.  By contrast what is of value is the true circumcision which cannot be seen as faith cannot be seen – it is a circumcision of one’s heart.

Paul indicates this heart work is that of the Holy Spirit, “by the Spirit, not by the letter”.  That is instructive too, this heart work is not something a man with a sharp instrument does one to another.  This is in fact delicate work the Holy Spirit, God Himself accomplishes in the life of men. 

So was Paul coming up with a new idea?  Not at all.  Read this portion of God’s promise  … "The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.  “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live”. Deuteronomy 30:5-6 (NASB)

Did you get that?  Old Testament promise of God!  He will “Circumcise your heart” and so that you are able, “To love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”

So, what does all this mean?  It means simply this.  Circumcision of the heart is the work of God that brings His covenant about in a person’s life through faith in Jesus Christ.  When His work on your heart brings about the necessary tenderness such that you may respond by faith, the circumcision is complete.  Only then are you enabled to “Love the LORD your God with all your heart.”  AMEN!

Romans 8:1 No Condemnation

Romans 8:1  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (NASB)

Referred to as “The greatest verse in the Bible” by some, the truth revealed here is certainly central to the Gospel and essential to the Christian faith.  What a verse! 

Of course it isn’t fair to just jump right in to Romans 8 without pointing to the “Therefore”.  That single word at the beginning of the verse points to all that has gone before.  It has been a road pointing to the desperate need for a savior of all men.  Not just the gentiles but also the Jews, God’s chosen people.  Romans has pointed to man's ability to know God exists through His creation yet points to man’s rejection of the Creator.  Romans shows the way of knowing Christ as Savior and the redemption offered through Grace rather than works.  Leading up to Romans 8 we are presented with the struggle even Paul faces living out his salvation under Grace but in this sin stained body wrestling daily with the battle of spirit and flesh.

Only then comes the great news and assurance of Romans 8.  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.  So the verse is for those of us walking this earth and for those that have passed on “In Christ” only.  To be clear this is not a universal get out of jail card for the human race.  This assurance is limited. 

For those, “In Christ” the assurance is, “Now”.  Isn’t it significant to know that the assurance of Romans 8 is not something to wait for or hope for but is, “Now”?  I think so.  And what is “Now”?  “No condemnation” is what is “Now”.  So currently, in this present time, as we walk through this life troubled by the battle of spirit and flesh just referenced in Romans 7 we have this assurance of Romans 8.  There is no condemnation now.  I don’t have to wait for someone to remove my sin at some ceremony later.  Because of Christ Jesus my sin results in no condemnation right now.  That is a wonderful message to me.

Now there are plenty of warnings in earlier chapters of Romans about intentionally liberating Grace by sinning all to more.  Paul tells us this is absolutely wrong and misses the point.  The point is we will continue to sin because we are damaged goods.  We have a sin nature handed down from our father Adam.  Try and we might, we will continue to sin from time to time.  When we do, those sins are covered immediately by Grace through the work of Christ Jesus and we find ourselves in this state of “No condemnation”.  

Applied to our lives there should be great comfort in knowing we walk in Grace free from the burden of our sins.  We do not have to carry the guilt of our sins before the Lord.  When the Father looks at us he sees the Son; guiltless.  So we don't need to be kicking ourselves, that is what Satan wants.  He wins when we do that.  Hold your head up high and go do something for Jesus.

In closing, if this isn’t the greatest verse in the Bible, it certainly gives rise to explanation of the greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN!

Philippians 3:7-8 Our Best Work; Rubbish!

Philippians 3:7-8  “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,” (NASB)

Written by Paul the letter to the church in Philippi would have Mrs. Parker my high school English teacher having fits.  Talk about run on sentences.  There are no periods just a bunch of commas as Paul strings along this thought of how all of his best efforts are worthless in comparison to Christ.

Let’s take a closer look.  We have to roll it back a few verses to get a bit of a context and even understand Paul a bit.  Paul was a highly educated Jew in his day.  He was a Pharisee.  He writes, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5) So, he’s giving us some of his credentials here.  He’s letting us know that among people and even among God’s chosen people the Jews, Paul is special having been educated in the Law and now ranked among the Pharisees.

Why is he telling us this?  Because he is giving us perspective.  He’s letting us know that among men and even among Jews if there were anyone to claim closeness to God it would be Paul.  He’s giving us this hypothetical in reference to his pre-conversion state as an unbelieving but God loving Jew.  He says in this state, “I myself might have confidence even in the flesh.  If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:” (Philippians 3:5) So that is the setup for his credentials.  He is saying that those credentials give rise to his being able to claim confidence to a higher degree than most anyone else.  That is, should he believe it were appropriate.

And … clearly Paul does not believe that is appropriate.  His comparison here is to show that if he doesn’t believe it then no one else should either.  Paul says, “For we (followers of Christ) are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”  (Philippians 3:4)  So there, he comes out with it, all works apart from Christ as good as they may be when compared are worthless. 

And that is the point of the main passage today.  “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,” (Philippians 3:7-8)

All those accomplishments of Paul, those things he could in his flesh count as gain when put in proper perspective have no value at all.  In comparison to the gift of Christ our Savior and Redeemer who offers us eternal life with him when hell was our due, those efforts are but, “Rubbish”.  Amen!

Nehemiah 8:9-10 Joy of the LORD

Nehemiah 8:9-10  “Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.  Then he said to them, ‘Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’" (NASB)

Chris Tomlin wrote a song of praise I have heard on the radio and we sing occasionally in church.  The phrase, “The joy of the LORD is our strength” is embedded in the lyrics.  Take a quick look at the whole song:

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing
[Chorus]
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory

It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
Repeat
And together we sing,
Everyone sing
[ Repeat Chorus]

           

The origin of the phrase, “The joy of the LORD is our strength” comes from Nehemiah 8 and it is this story that I’d like to hone in on.  This phrase actually comes as a part of a comforting word Nehemiah and Ezra gave to the people.  The people had all gathered in Jerusalem after returning from captivity and re-building their homes.  They came to Jerusalem to celebrate their delivery from that captivity; to give thanks to the Lord.  The people called on Ezra to read the Law of Moses to them.  They were all assembled to hear the reading of God’s Word and the explanation or interpretation of that Word.

Their reaction to the reading of the Law was one of grief.  They were convicted of their own sins at the reading of God's holy Law.  The passage says, “For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law”.  In other words, the Law did what it is intended to do.  It caused them to compare their sinful lives to God’s holy standard.  In comparison they fell far short.  That is what motivated their sorrow.

But the Lord desires that once convicted of sin and deal with it properly that they not go on in perpetual grief.  In this case, the Lord’s message to the people is, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep”.  This day was to be a celebration so they are instructed to,  "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord”.  The people are told to celebrate, to feast and to share that feast with others that can’t provide for themselves.

Finally he says, ”Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength”.

Why joy?  Joy can only be found when in a right relationship with God.  Only real grief can produce real joy.  That sorrow from hearing the Law read produced thankful and contrite hearts.  In that position they were able to hear God; they were able to be responsive to what He asked.  They were mold-able; teachable.  In that condition they found strength.  The strength only the grace of God can provide is what they received.

This model of grief leading to joy is the same for us.  Only when we are humbled by the conviction of our sin in relation to God’s holy standard can He reach us.  When we stand convicted of our sin we realize that only God’s grace can help us.  We are able to accept the free gift of salvation offered by His own shed blood when we are in that humble state.  Without the sorrow of conviction there is no joy because we will never come to Him.  The Holy Spirit's conviction brings us to a place where we can be reached; we can be saved.  “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength”.  AMEN!

If you are in grief over your behavior in relation to the holiness of God I would be happy to talk with you about Jesus Christ and His desire to bring joy into your life.  Please contact me.

1 Peter 1:1-2 Chosen by Grace

1Peter 1:1-2  “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” (NASB)

Peter is frankly my favorite apostle.  Why?  I simply identify with him more than the others because he reminds me of me.  In future discussions I’ll share insight of why but for today I want to take a look at the opening of one of his letters.  Peter was considered the leader of the early church.  He was also one of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples along with James and John.  As such he is also considered an apostle of Jesus Christ.  In this context an apostle means he was an eye witness and directly commissioned to ministry by Jesus Himself.

I think it is interesting to note that in looking through the letters of the New Testament rich chewy truth is available in the opening few verses universally.  Peter’s first letter is no different so I’d like to take a look at the first two verses here.

Peter identifies himself first as an apostle and since I’ve already explained what that means I won’t do it again.  He mentions this however to let those who are reading know (in case they don’t) just who it is that is writing to them.  Next Peter identifies his audience.  This letter is written to those Christians who first “Reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia”.  Why aliens?  I think this is twofold.  First, because they are literally aliens.  They are primarily Jewish Christians who were displaced or dispersed out of Palestine.  Living in a foreign land they are aliens.  I believe however the term alien also applies to them as Christians among non-Christians.  That would be among unbelieving Jews and native Pagans.  Later in this letter Peter refers to Christians as “Aliens and strangers” as he urges them not to conform to their surroundings1 Peter 2:11.  The geographical areas referenced are located in modern day Turkey and Greece.

Okay – now it gets interesting. 

These Christians, scattered into this foreign land, “Are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”.  In Christian circles the term “Election” is tossed around.  It means that God chooses.  This Scripture confirms that Peter is writing to those, “Who are chosen” and let’s us know who did the choosing.  “God the Father” did the choosing.  It goes even further however and says His choosing was, “According to” His “Foreknowledge”.  Elsewhere we learn that God’s choosing was done from eternity past.  How is that possible?  Well, “With God all things are possible” Matthew 19:26 and God quite frankly isn’t bound by the constraints of time; He created it!  He can look at the act of creation, Jesus time on this earth, our brief lives and Christ’s return right now; all at once, as though it were a thing to be examined.

Can I hear a WOW!

How were we Chosen?  Well, it is by the “Foreknowledge of God the Father” but it is “By the sanctifying work of the Spirit”.  We discussed before that sanctification is the setting apart for a special purpose.  When the Spirit does his work of sanctification of the believer it means He sets us apart for something special.  Peter doesn’t disappoint us because he shares what that something special is.  He says we were set apart by the Spirit, “To obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood”.  That simply means that we were set apart to have obedience of faith in Christ.  It is that obedience of faith that saves us.  “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus”. Galatians 3:26

Peter reminds us also of what this faith in Christ brings.  He reminds us that the obedience of faith is, “To obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood”.  The sprinkling of blood is a reference to the atonement sacrifice established in the Law.  Animal blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat on the arc of the covenant  in a ritual that, “Covered” the sins of the people.  That sacrifice of animals in atoning for sin had to be repeated over and over to satisfy God's wrath.  The blood of Jesus however, following the premise of the animal sacrifice is much more effective.  “His blood”, shed for our sins satisfies God’s wrath once and for all .  When the believer is, “Sprinkled with His blood” by faith in Him all our sins are forgiven forever.

When the reality of the efficacy of “His blood” is realized Peter’s statement becomes possible.  “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure”.  AMEN!