The Crimson Lens

On June 4, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 5:9

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

In 2015 I wrote a devotion titled “The Crimson Veil.” The substance of that article is about the effect the blood has on our relationship with the Father. When He looks at us, He looks through a crimson veil, that veil being the blood of Christ. God sees Jesus’ righteousness and worth when He looks at us because He looks through the veil of sacrificial blood. Speaking for myself, that is a powerful image and certainly helps me understand who I am in Christ. And, it is a relief because which of us wishes to stand in our own right?

I had another thought about the crimson veil, though. You have heard that we all perceive the world according to our own filters or through the lens of our world, hence the rose-colored lens. It dawned on me that if I saw the world through a crimson colored lens it would most certainly color my perspective. What if I was able to see other people through God’s crimson-colored lens? I think that would change my world, and that would be a good thing.

Imagine if we all looked at the world through crimson-colored glasses. Think of some of the challenges of 2020 and then put on Dad’s glasses and look at them anew. Does it change our thoughts, our prayers? What does the world look like when it is covered in Jesus’ blood? Oh my!

This one observation shows why God cannot be the judgmental, vengeful God some people make Him out to be. He sees Jesus’ blood everywhere He looks. Imagine if Christians saw every other person through the crimson lens. What if, when we looked at someone who might not even have a redeeming character, we, none the less, saw them splattered with that precious blood? How would that change things? Well, it is something to pray for. I think I would be much more gracious and accepting. Wouldn’t anger recede? What about a sense of betrayal? Think about someone who really gets under your skin and imagine Jesus’ blood covering them. Isn’t it harder to feel the anger and frustration that you might normally experience? Maybe we should all take a deep yoga breath, slowly and fully exhale, and picture our adversaries covered in the sacred blood. I believe this could change the world and in a hurry.

Back to Top

Crimson Veil

On May 20, 2015   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Hebrews 10: 19 -20

Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh.

In Old Testament times there was a tabernacle which housed the Ark of the Covenant. The ark was in a section of the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter this section of the tabernacle and then only once a year. The priest had to be sanctified and entered this holy place only by means of sacrificial blood. This Holy of Holies was the place where God’s presence met with humanity through the priest. This is the place referred to in today’s verse as “the holy place.”

There was a veil which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tabernacle. When Jesus died on the cross “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15: 38). No longer did the veil stand between humanity and God. Jesus removed the veil with his sacrifice so that we are free to enter into the Holy of Holies and commune with our Father. 

Now, re-read today’s verse in light of these thoughts. You can see that Jesus shattered religion and replaced it with relationship. He bought our entrance into the presence of God for all time with his blood. And think about it . . . the blood of God was shed for us and sprinkled over us so that we may forever enter into God’s presence. The veil has been lifted. God was released from the box but I would like to suggest that there is a new veil in place. This one is for our good though, and rather than separating us from God, it draws us to him. 

The new veil is the blood of Jesus our Christ. When God looks at us he sees us covered head to toe with the saving blood of Jesus. He doesn’t see our sins and short-comings. He sees his beloved son intertwined with us. He sees the communion of our souls. We are glorious in God’s sight because we have put on Jesus like a robe. He is the crimson veil through which our Father sees us. Today’s scripture tells us that Jesus has ushered us into the presence of God, right through the veil through the sacrifice of his flesh. He bought us our freedom; we are free to roam the halls of the citadel of God. We can freely and boldly enter into the throne room.

So, stop telling God about all of your weaknesses and sins. He sees you glorified in Christ. If you have “blown it” today, put on Christ. As a matter of fact, isn’t that what we want to do each day, don Christ? You are now God’s beloved. He sees you pure and sanctified. Don’t stand out in the parking lot when Jesus has purchased your ticket to the main show. Enter into the throne room with thanksgiving for you have a crimson glow all about you.

Back to Top