Bloody Arrow

Bloody Arrow
by bro

A bloody arrow in the quiver typically signifies success.  A shaft coated in crimson is what us bowhunters long to see.  It’s the tell-tale sign that our arrow found its mark and we’re just a recovery effort away from our trophy.  This past fall I shot one of my prettiest bucks to date.  The shot was close…just the kind I like…and my arrow smacked home.  The buck ran just 75 yards before tipping over.  After the usual high-fives and slaps on the back from friends, we took some photos and then back-tracked to the shot scene to try to find my arrow.  When one of my hunting buddies recovered the arrow and brought it to me, I quickly saw that the single-digit temperatures had frozen the blood to the shaft from nock to tip.  The once black shaft was now a beautiful, bright red shaft…covered in crimson!  I was proud of what that bloody arrow shaft represented…a great buck at the end of an exciting hunt with friends. 

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But that shaft also meant a whole lot more to me as well.  Not only was I proud of what God allowed me to be a part of on that cold November morning, but I was also proud of the fact that, much like that blood-soaked shaft, I too had been covered by the blood of God’s son, Jesus.  Through His death on the cross, Jesus’ blood covered me…and covered me completely.  The darkness of my sin had been covered in crimson because of the sacrifice that took place at the cross. 

Consider these passages…

1 John 1:7 – “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Revelation 1:5b – “All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.”

As graphic and gruesome as the death of Christ was, it was and is a beautiful thing.  I thank God for the blood of Christ that was spilled out for me! 

Are you covered by the blood?

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