09/17/F – Cleansed by the Blood

NT: “But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:11-14‬ ‭CSB)

Blood is quite an amazing fluid and bodily tissue. Both a fluid and a connective tissue, blood flows through every part of the body, and without it, we could not live. Though our understanding of the function and composition of blood is much more advanced than it was in biblical times, it was understood then that blood brought life, and without it, creatures in the animal kingdom would die. In Leviticus 17:10-14, the Lord God explained that the life of a creature is in the blood, therefore blood was considered very sacred. It was blood that God used to represent the life of a creature, which is why blood was used ceremonially to atone for the sins of God’s people.

On the subject of blood, it is actually quite insightful to consider the functions of blood in a body as we consider what Christ’s blood has done for us. For a person to live, their body needs oxygen, water, nutrients and a way to regulate its temperature. Blood is a necessary component in all of those things. As a person breathes in air, blood flows through the lungs and transports oxygen to every part of the body. When a person eats and digests food and drinks water, blood flows through the intestines and carries needed nutrients and fluids to the rest of the body. Blood also works to regulate temperature – keeping the body warm in the cold and cool in the heat. When a person is injured, the blood that flows to that injury brings the components necessary for healing. When a person is sick, it is the blood that carries the necessary antibodies to fight the infection. If that wasn’t enough, blood also keeps the body clean. In all of our living and breathing and eating and working, a lot of waste is created. As blood flows through the body bringing the things the body needs, it also removes the things that it doesn’t need, preventing the body from becoming toxic.

Under the first covenant, priests would offer the life blood of an animal in order to become ceremonially clean and undefiled from sin momentarily. Under that once-a-year covering, they could approach the mercy seat of God and offer the life blood of an animal for the temporary atonement of the people. While the animal sacrifices were enough to make people ceremonially clean for a time, it could not truly remove sin and make people truly clean. Christ’s sacrifice was much different. He didn’t offer animal blood. He offered His own life blood. He allowed every drop of His blood to be poured out, not only to pay for our sin, but to cleanse us from all sin. Just as our blood removes impurities from our body, Christ’s blood is able to remove the impurity of sin from our souls and make our consciences clean. When we place our faith on the work of Christ, we appropriate His blood into our lives. His blood cleanses us… but not only that, His blood brings the necessary things for us to live healthily and thrive unto God. As the old song says, What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Proverbs: “Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23:17-18‬ ‭CSB)

Often times, unscrupulous and godless people become successful in this world. But also, people – who may not be unscrupulous – who just live life on their own terms end up becoming successful. It can be tempting to look at those people, their worldly successes, and their apparent freedom to do what they want, and become envious. There is a worldly abundance that is temporary, and then there is an abundance that comes from the Lord which is eternal. Don’t give up eternity for the immediate. Trust in the Lord who is able to provide for the here and now, as well as give you a sure hope for your eternal future.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You were willing to shed and offer Your own blood for my cleansing and my eternal life and salvation. By faith in You, I appropriate all that Your blood has accomplished and continues to accomplish for me. Now help me, by Your grace, to walk in all that You have given me through Your blood. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.