For the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. - Leviticus 17:11 NLT
Like water, blood is a fluid that is essential for life. It transports oxygen, nutrients, and vital substances throughout the body, ensuring its proper functioning and survival. When we donate blood, we play a crucial role in saving lives. Conversely, a significant loss of blood risks death. Drawing a parallel to the Bible, we learn that blood in the Bible holds similar significance.
In the Old Testament, the shedding of animal blood through sacrifices was part of a divine service required for atonement and reconciliation with God. The Hebrew word for sacrifice is rooted in a word that means to “draw near.” The whole point of shedding animal blood for sacrifice was to be cleansed from sin in order to draw near to a holy God. And the location where this took place was in the Tabernacle of Moses, and later, the Temple.
But when Christ came, He came with the greater and more perfect tabernacle, one not made with hands but erected by God (Hebrews 8:2). And not with the blood of animals but rather His own blood where He offered Himself as a one-time sacrifice for all mankind. Now, through faith in Jesus can we receive atonement for our sins and draw near. His is the way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Jesus is the door, and His shed blood is the key.
Where the blood of animals was given to redeem a life, now the blood of Jesus is given in exchange for ALL lives. This means that anyone who confesses with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, he will be saved (Romans 10:9). This verse literally means that if you confess and truly believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, He being our Lord and Master and exercising all ownership rights for our souls, then we will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (vs. 10). A life has been given for a life, through the power of the blood - His blood.
Jesus is now the Mediator of the new covenant, which means that all who are called and come to Him may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:11-15). There is salvation in no other… for there is no other name under heaven given unto men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). He is the sacrificial Lamb of God given to redeem and reconcile sinful humanity back to its Maker, and He has redeemed us by His blood. In other words:
IT. IS. FINISHED!
God bless you today,
Carole
Song: Travis Cottrell “Jesus Saves”
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