WASHED in Nothing But the Blood

Robert Lowry (1826-1899) was a popular Baptist preacher and professor in New England when he wrote Nothing But the Blood in 1876. By the 1950’s it was the top song in the most widely used church hymnals. It’s theme is simple: cleansing from sin and atonement through the crucifixion of Jesus alone. When originally published, it had two scriptures printed above it:

The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

(1 John 1:7)

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

(Hebrews 9:22)

It’s written for a congregation to sing together in a call and response pattern: “What can wash away my sin? What can make me whole again?” It forces us to consider the depth of our very personal need for a Savior, our sin, our shame, our stains. And it was the blood that was spilled on Calvary that ransomed and redeemed us back to Him.

The next verse goes on to affirm that it’s not of our own good that can atone for our sin but only the crucifixion of Jesus. In fact, we repeat the phrase “Nothing But The Blood of Jesus” 12 times throughout the song. The chorus then echoes the words of Isaiah 1:18, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."The blood of Jesus makes us whole and clean again. It brings hope, peace, righteousness, victory, mercy, love and freedom. That is something to celebrate!

We’ve started singing a new song at Oak Haven called WASHED (here’s a video of it at a worship night in St. Paul) and I love the connection it has to Nothing But the Blood. Josh Holiday, one of the co-writers of the song, said "Our hope is that that people carry it like an anthem — something they don’t just sing, but believe and celebrate in their everyday lives.”

Repeated several times in WASHED is the word Hallelujah is which is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord.” And really, how can we not help but praise Him when we think about Jesus’ rescue of us? We have undeserved forgiveness, redemption, freedom! We cannot thank and praise and celebrate Him enough for that!

These two songs are so rich in scripture. Even though one is 1 year old and the other is 150 years old, they are both songs about a very old Truth: in Jesus, we are loved, forgiven, and made clean. Hallelujah!

I’ve copied of the scriptures these songs are based in and the lyrics of both below.

"This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

(1 John 4:10)

"He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit."

(Titus 3:5)

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)"

(Ephesians 2:4-5)

 “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."

(2 Corinthians 5:21)

 “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.”

(Revelation 7:14)

“…having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

(Romans 5:9)

“Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”

(Luke 22:20)

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

(1 Peter 1:18-19)

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

(I John 1:7)

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…”

(Revelation 12:11)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

(Ephesians 1:7)

NOTHING BUT THE BLOODWhat can wash away my sin?Nothing but the blood of Jesus;What can make me whole again?Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Oh! precious is the flowThat makes me white as snow;No other fount I know,Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Nothing can for sin atone,Nothing but the blood of Jesus;Naught of good that I have done,Nothing but the blood of Jesus.This is all my hope and peace,Nothing but the blood of Jesus;This is all my righteousness,Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Now by this I’ll overcome—Nothing but the blood of Jesus;Now by this I’ll reach my home—Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

WASHED

I've been washed in the waterWashed in the bloodI'm as good as newOh hallelujah

And I'm clean, sin was stained on meAnd shame was running deepYour love was spilled on Calvary, Oh hallelujah

I'm clean, and God, how can it be?I'm ransomed and redeemedI'm standing in Your victory, Oh hallelujah

I'm clean, it's not what I have doneBut what You've done for meYou paid it all upon that tree, Oh hallelujah

I'm clean, Your love has overcomeAnd Your mercy is supremeI'm dancing in Your victory, Oh hallelujah

'Cause You took away my shameAnd You nailed it to the crossYou got me running out the graveOh hallelujah, here I come