The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross was instrumental in granting us forgiveness for our sins and allowing us to enter into God’s presence.
“… without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” Hebrews 9:22
A. LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves … it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” Leviticus 7:11
When we sin, we reap the consequence of death. As stated in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” Jesus took on this penalty for us by sacrificing His life and shedding His blood, dying in our place. Atonement, or at-one-ment, signifies our reconciliation with God.
Through His sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus made it possible for us to achieve this unity with God. Because of His blood, we are no longer adversaries but rather His friends, His children. By faith, we embrace the gift He has given us.
B. WHAT SIN DOES TO OUR LIFE
1. Separates Us From God
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear” Isaiah 59:2
The separation from God is primarily influenced by human experiences of sin, distraction, and disconnection. Sin creates a gap between our intentions and actions, diverting us from our divine purpose. Additionally, the demands of modern life often obscure our spiritual awareness, leading to loneliness and confusion.
However, reconciliation with God involves recognizing these barriers and taking deliberate steps to reconnect through love, forgiveness, and understanding. By seeking stillness and fostering an open heart, we can break down the walls that separate us from the divine presence that seeks to embrace us.
2. Makes Us Feel Guilty
“ My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” Psalms 38:4
Guilt is a complex and often unexpected emotion that arises from our actions, inactions, or societal expectations. While it can prompt self-reflection and moral growth, it can also lead to anxiety and a negative self-image if not managed carefully.
Balancing the acknowledgment of our mistakes with self-compassion is crucial, as facing errors is a natural part of being human. The key challenge is to use guilt as a catalyst for personal growth without letting it diminish our self-worth and potential.
3. Allows Satan Access To Us
“… the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before God day and night… Revelation 12:10
“… the soul who sins is the one who will die” Ezekiel 18:4
C. THE BLOOD IS FOR GOD
This lamb was a picture of the Lamb – Jesus- Who would come later. God said,
The blood of Christ completely fulfills the requirements of God’s law, which mandates a penalty for violations.
As stated in 1 John 3:4, “Sin is the transgression of the law.” The blood serves as our protection from the consequence of breaking this law, which is death. In Exodus 12, God instructs the Israelites to smear the blood of a lamb on their doorposts to shield them from the destroyer who would strike down all the firstborn.
This lamb serves as a symbol of the Lamb – Jesus – who would come in the future. God said,
“… when I see the blood, I will pass over [protect] you… ” verse 13.
1. Fellowship Is Restored
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him” Romans 5:8,9
2. We Are Redeemed (Purchased Back From Slavery To Sin)
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7
D. THE BLOOD IS FOR MAN
The Blood has satisfied God; now it is to satisfy us in the cleansing of our conscience from guilt.
1. The Blood Cleanses From Guilt
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our conscience from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Hebrews 9:14
2. The Blood Sanctifies Us
“And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood” Hebrews 13:12
3. The Blood Brings Us Close To God
“… and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you..” Colossians 1:20-22
4. The Blood Gives Boldness To Enter God’s Presence
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, the body… Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” Hebrews 10:19-22
5. The Blood Perfects Us In The Sight Of God
“… because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” Hebrews 10:14
E. THE BLOOD IS FOR THE DEVIL
Satan’s most strategic activity in this age is as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) and it is as this that the Lord confronts him in His special ministry as High Priest through His own blood. Hebrews 9:11-14.
1. The Blood Puts God On Man’s Side Against The Devil
“… If God is for us, who can be against us? …Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? Shall God who justifies? Who is he that condemns? Will Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – and is at the right hand of God and is also interceding [praying] for us?” Romans 8:31,33,34
The devil has no ground for accusation against those who have received the work of Christ’s shed blood for them.
2. The Blood Dissolves All Satan’s Legal Rights Of Ownership Over Us
“… in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness [remission] of sins” Colossians 1:14
‘Redemption’ means to ‘buy back.’ We are under new ownership, and the price that was paid for us was the shed blood of Jesus.
“… the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” Acts20:28 See also 1Corinthians 6:19-20 and 1Timothy 2:6.
F. WHAT THE BLOOD OF CHRIST HAS BROUGHT US
1. Purity Of Heart
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” 1John 1:7
2. Eternal Life
“Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” John 6:53-54
3. Approach To God
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ” Ephesians 2:13
