Thoughts on the Blood - Part 2

For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:19-22 ESV). There is no other way. Yesterday we saw the importance of blood. Today we see again the importance of the shedding of blood. Without it, there would be no forgiveness. The gift of eternal life could not have been given without the shedding of Christ’s blood. Many children like bandages. The sight of the blood is always scary to them. I have noticed that minor cuts and scrapes don’t really hurt until you see the blood. Perhaps that’s the real comfort of a bandage. I have been injured several times, however, when a bandage simply wasn’t enough. When we were very young my brother and I were fighting and in the process he shoved me outside the front door. As he shut the door quickly behind me I put out my hands to keep it open and the glass shattered cutting my hand. It was just moments before my dad realized these cuts needed stitches. So, off to the hospital we went! There was a lot of blood coming from the cuts. It was a frightening experience. We don’t usually like to see blood flowing. If you have seen The Passion of Christ, the Mel Gibson movie depicting the crucifixion, you have a feel for the pain Jesus endured to shed His blood on our behalf. Even knowing the truth within the shed blood, I doubt anyone can applaud that event! Yet, His blood did shed. As they scoured His back with lash after vicious lash, the flogging took huge toils on His skin. I’ve read that flogging was a science to the Romans. They knew just how to tear the skin, producing blood, but not yet taking the life. They reserved that for the cross. It was not a pretty sight! But, aren’t you glad the blood flowed? After all, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Had Jesus not come, had the blood not flowed, you and I would still be sacrificing lambs and goats today! Our sins would still not be forgiven completely. The shedding of Jesus’ blood made available to us the perfect sacrifice. Praise God for the shedding of blood! No wonder the Apostle Paul could proclaim, Thanks be to God who gives us the victory (over death) through Jesus Christ! Take a moment or two today and reflect on the gift you have received in the shedding of the blood. Let those thoughts carry you through your challenges and trials. If God loved you that much, how could he possibly forget you now? He won’t let you down. Trust him!