What is the "Blood"? :
As Christians we have probably heard the term "the blood" used in many ways. "I pray the blood of Jesus over ...., .... and ....", or maybe you're familiar with "we drink of this cup, that represents the blood of our Lord" or one of my favorite songs "What can wash away our sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
The Blood is topic more suited for a teaching (see teaching section on the blog page), but I believe its important for us as believers to really understand what Christ's blood did. You see His death was more than just a sacrifice. It was THE sacrifice. In the time of Jesus, this would have been the most powerful of all acts for the Jewish people, and it should be for us today. Here's why:
We're taught in Deuteronomy 12:23 that life is in the blood. Scientifically this is true as well. Without blood, organs en mass would die due to lack of oxygen, energy, etc. God teaches us the importance of blood, to lead us up to what?
Leviticus 17:11
" For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
The Bible teaches us that sin occurs due to our soul (Hebrew nephesh/Greek psyche') which is our mind. Our sentience leads us to our sin. This is why the Bible says to be transformed by the renewing of your MIND so that you may know what is it the good and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2). The Greek word for mind encompasses emotion, feeling, thought and will.
Alright! So in blood, there is life, and according to God's life only blood(life) can make remission for our sin (death).
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Jesus said at the last supper, (Matthew 26:28)
"for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people would sacrifice pure, unblemished animals (representing innocence) to the Lord on an altar. This blood sacrifice would cover the people of Israel's sin for a year. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, a sin sacrifice was made and the blood of the animal was collected. It was put on the altar, and sprinkled on the veil of the Holy of Holies and the mercy seat, which allowed the High Priest to commune with God.
Now, here is where Jesus gets awesome. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He was pure, holy and committed NO sin. He was righteousness in a land of selfish evil. He was purity in depravity. He was the beginning to an end, and an end to a beginning. He was the foundation of a house we couldn't build on our own.
On the day He died, something incredible happened, (Mark 15:37-38)
"And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."
His blood, that precious blood not only took your sin and cast it as far as the east is from the west, but his blood RIPPED THE VEIL! The veil was what separated us, God's people, from Him. Not only are we forgiven, but now we have unabated access to God's presence itself. We can freely, unashamed, walk through His blood and into the glorious presence of God. The mercy seat of Jesus Christ is surely that.
For anyone who wonders if God really forgives you, hear this.
One drop of Christ's blood is enough to cover an ocean of your sin.
He loves you,
~Deuce
11/2/2013
As Christians we have probably heard the term "the blood" used in many ways. "I pray the blood of Jesus over ...., .... and ....", or maybe you're familiar with "we drink of this cup, that represents the blood of our Lord" or one of my favorite songs "What can wash away our sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
The Blood is topic more suited for a teaching (see teaching section on the blog page), but I believe its important for us as believers to really understand what Christ's blood did. You see His death was more than just a sacrifice. It was THE sacrifice. In the time of Jesus, this would have been the most powerful of all acts for the Jewish people, and it should be for us today. Here's why:
We're taught in Deuteronomy 12:23 that life is in the blood. Scientifically this is true as well. Without blood, organs en mass would die due to lack of oxygen, energy, etc. God teaches us the importance of blood, to lead us up to what?
Leviticus 17:11
" For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
The Bible teaches us that sin occurs due to our soul (Hebrew nephesh/Greek psyche') which is our mind. Our sentience leads us to our sin. This is why the Bible says to be transformed by the renewing of your MIND so that you may know what is it the good and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2). The Greek word for mind encompasses emotion, feeling, thought and will.
Alright! So in blood, there is life, and according to God's life only blood(life) can make remission for our sin (death).
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Jesus said at the last supper, (Matthew 26:28)
"for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people would sacrifice pure, unblemished animals (representing innocence) to the Lord on an altar. This blood sacrifice would cover the people of Israel's sin for a year. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, a sin sacrifice was made and the blood of the animal was collected. It was put on the altar, and sprinkled on the veil of the Holy of Holies and the mercy seat, which allowed the High Priest to commune with God.
Now, here is where Jesus gets awesome. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He was pure, holy and committed NO sin. He was righteousness in a land of selfish evil. He was purity in depravity. He was the beginning to an end, and an end to a beginning. He was the foundation of a house we couldn't build on our own.
On the day He died, something incredible happened, (Mark 15:37-38)
"And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."
His blood, that precious blood not only took your sin and cast it as far as the east is from the west, but his blood RIPPED THE VEIL! The veil was what separated us, God's people, from Him. Not only are we forgiven, but now we have unabated access to God's presence itself. We can freely, unashamed, walk through His blood and into the glorious presence of God. The mercy seat of Jesus Christ is surely that.
For anyone who wonders if God really forgives you, hear this.
One drop of Christ's blood is enough to cover an ocean of your sin.
He loves you,
~Deuce
11/2/2013