The Blood of Christ

God is Holy, and we are not. All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), dating back to Adam and Eve. It is our wrongdoing or sin that separates us from God. In the Old Testament, you may have read about the Israelites bringing animals to sacrifice, or to give, as offerings to the Living God. They did this to make atonement (make up, compensate, offset) for their sins, so they could be reconciled to God. In Leviticus 17:11 God says, For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one‚Äôs life. The bigger the sin or offense, the bigger the offering (pigeon, dove, lamb, goat, calf, bull). For severe offenses, sin was punishable by death. The Bible also talks about what things or events would make a person clean or unclean (it's quite interesting, so go and read for yourself!). The Israelites would bring the animals to the priests, who would slaughter the animal, and offer it to God (only priests could do this). Then, they would sprinkle the blood from the animal, on the altar in the Holy Place, and cleanse the people from their sin. If you can imagine, this was an ongoing and never-ending process (think about how many times do you sin in a day, week, or month?).

Thankfully, God had a solution. He would send His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the final offering for all of mankind, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:19). Since Jesus was holy, sinless, and pure, his death would give every person eternal life and cleanse them, if they turn from their sin and believe. Hebrews 9:12 tells us that Jesus entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.  The Chapter goes on to say that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus did not have to die for us, but he willingly went to the cross and said of his life, no one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father  (John 10:18).

At the last supper (before Jesus was crucified), Jesus gave the disciples a cup and said, Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many (Matthew 26:28). The old covenant that God gave to Moses and the Israelites, is now obsolete because of the NEW covenant with Christ.  Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28), and it is in him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance to the riches of God's grace (Ephesians 1:7). We are reminded in  Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in  Christ Jesus our Lord.  Salvation is a free gift from God. All we have to do is accept it.

The blood not only redeems us, or gives us eternal life, it also heals us. Isaiah 53:5 tells us Christ was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we healed.  Through the blood of the Holy Lamb of God, we have life, freedom, salvation, forgiveness, redemption, power, healing, protection, and so much more. When we pray, we must apply the blood to every aspect of our lives: family, household, friends, marriage, mind, body, children, etc. Not only can we not forget the work that Christ did at the Cross, but we must also not forget about his precious blood.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father,

Oh how You love us, how great, how deep, how wide, and how wondrous is Your love and Your works. Thank You so much for the death of Christ. Thank You for his blood that was shed for us. Thank You for his resurrection. Please give the readers personal revelation of what the blood of Christ means, and what it can do for them. Christ's blood isn't something that we overlook, because there is power in his blood. The power to save, heal, restore, deliver, redeem, and liberate. God, thank You for the final sacrifice, that we no longer have to burn or slaughter sacrifices to be forgiven. Thank you Jesus for loving us, though you knew what would happen to you, you willingly died for us. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:7-12:

7  He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,  and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8  By oppression  and judgment he was taken away.  Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living;  for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9  He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10  Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,  and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11  After he has suffered, he will see the light of life  and be satisfied; by his knowledge  my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12  Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Thank you so much Jesus, for our free gift of salvation. Oh Lord, let us not be absentminded or forgetful of your great and mighty works. You continue to do work miracles, answer prayers, and save. So we exalt You and magnify You! We give you praise and thank You! We rejoice in You. Your are so awesome, and there is no one like YOU! All the praise, power, honor, and glory belong to YOU! Seal us all with the precious blood of Jesus. In Jesus' blessed name, amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam