THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

Blood is a household word because everyone has blood. It is the vehicle that supplies or carries life to all parts of the body. Its absence starves the body of life resulting in death. We begin to die once the blood diminishes and we eventually die when it dries up. Whilst our blood is contaminated with sin, Jesus’ blood was pure without blemish. Jesus’ blood is described in Matthew 27:4 as innocent blood. In 1Peter 1: 19 it is without defect or blemish. What then is the significance of the blood of Jesus Christ?

It establishes a new covenant

Due to the nature of Jesus’ blood, he said in Matthew 26: 28 this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. By his blood, we were ushered into a new covenant relationship eternally with God rather than using the blood of animals which was temporary, inadequate and incapable of cleansing the soul permanently. Hebrews 10: 4 says for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. In Hebrews 9: 12-14 Jesus’ blood gave us eternal redemption and purified our conscience from dead works. 

It restores us back to God

The cleansing power through the blood of Jesus by the covenant is for all mankind. 1John 1: 7 says the blood of Jesus God’s Son cleanses us from all sin. Jesus said in Mark 14: 24 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Its purpose in Revelation 1: 5 is that he freed us from our sins by his blood. It therefore gives eternal life. John 6: 54 says those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day… Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Eating his flesh and drinking his body metaphorically means living a holy life in him for eternal life. 

It makes us accountable to God

Jesus’ blood does not only unite us with him as one body by the new covenant but makes us shepherds of his sheep as well. We are thus accountable for the souls of the unsaved. Acts 20: 28 says keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. By Jesus’ blood, Revelation 5: 9 says he ransomed for God, saints from every tribe and language and people and nation. Accordingly, Jesus is an effective mediator of the new covenant better than the blood of Abel (any person), Hebrews 12: 24. 

It makes us sufferers with Christ

He suffered to sanctify us with his blood, Hebrews 13: 12. God allowed Jesus’ blood to be poured out as an atonement for all mankind in Romans 3: 25. By the atonement, God did this to show Jesus’ righteousness whereof by his divine forbearance he passed over our previous sins for his justification by our faith in him. Therefore, Paul wrote in Philippians 3: 8-10 I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord… I want to know Christ… and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in death. 

Paul further wrote in Philippians 1: 29 for he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well. He echoed such sentiments in 2Timothy 1: 8; 2: 3. Peter similarly said so in 1Peter 2: 19-21; 3: 17; 4: 16. The disciples in Acts 5: 41 rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. Jesus said in Revelation 2: 10 do not fear what you are about to suffer. Are we ready and committed to suffer for Jesus?

It avails God’s infinite grace to us

Paul wrote in Ephesians 1: 7 in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. There is no redemption or forgiveness of sins without Jesus’ blood because by Jesus’ blood comes grace so rich to placate all sins. Hebrews 9: 20 says This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you. God has not ordained any other blood of the covenant of redemption and restoration by his grace. 

It brokers our peace with God

The blood of Jesus is rather to draw us to God and must not be impeached through sin. Ephesians 2: 13-14 say but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace. It is affirmed in Colossians 1: 20 and through him (Jesus) God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. The cross must always remind of the sacrosanct blood of Jesus and its reconciling saving grace.

It destroyed the power of death

The blood of Jesus was shed to destroy Satan and his power of death and to free those whose lives were held in slavery by the fear of death in Hebrews 2: 14-15. Jesus said in Luke 4: 18 He (God) has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, let the oppressed go free. This refers to the spiritually captives afflicted and destroyed with spiritual blindness from seeing Jesus as the light of the world; spiritually bound from following Jesus; and the spiritually deaf to the good news.

It punishes unconfessed transgression

Jesus’ sacred blood makes any unworthy association with it punishable. Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 11: 27-30 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord (symbolizing Jesus’ body and his blood) in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason, many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. Hebrews 10: 29 says anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy… How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? 

Of what value is the blood of Jesus to us in this life and hereafter in eternity? Are we washed and cleansed and renewed and restored in the blood of the LAMB of God who is Christ Jesus? May it not be late while we have breath.      

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, you shed your blood for a purpose out of love. May your purpose of spiritual cleansing and restoration of the soul be fulfilled in our lives as we surrender all we are, all we have, and all we hope to be. Let your blood preserve our souls to your pleasure in your holy name, Amen!! 

Send us your prayer request so we may join you in prayer