But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. (John 19:34)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It's all there. Christ’s death for you. Water. Blood. It's all God for you. All Jesus for you. Your salvation. Your rescue. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9) Jesus, the Lamb of God, was killed on Calvary for your sins. His death is laid against your sins and your sins are blotted out.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions; Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Psalm 51) The devil could pile up all your sins against you and the pile is knocked down by this death of the Son of God once and for all.

How can you be sure? How do you know it's for you? How can you be certain, when your own conscience troubles you over what you've done or said or thought, that this death is for you?

Water. It flows from the pierced Jesus. It flows from Him into the font. The water that comes from His side is the water that washes you clean and makes you a new creation in Holy Baptism. Because God's Word is spoken with that water, you can be sure it's the same water, the life giving water of Jesus that gives you new life. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6)

Blood. Blood flows from Jesus' side into the chalice, the cup of Holy Communion. You can't be more certain that the blood of Jesus was truly shed for you than drinking it along with eating His body in the sacramental way that He gives it to you. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10) Yes indeed. The Lord has made a promise to you with His blood.

Water and blood. Baptism and Holy Communion. The holy Sacraments. The birth and sustenance of Christ's bride, the church. Christ's death on the cross is the great “it is finished.” Sin and death are taken care of. The devil is defeated. And it all comes to you, is given to you, is bestowed upon you, by the water and blood of Baptism and the Supper.

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood.... And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life. (1 John 5)

Whenever your sins hound you; whenever the devil whispers your doom; whenever the world goes after you to take you down, remember you have the gifts of Jesus from Jesus Himself: water and blood. Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Your enemies are defeated. Your salvation is sure. It is finished, done, complete, and taken care of for you, too. Jesus’ Good Friday work is complete. Full and complete gift to you bringing life ever-lasting. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.