The Significance of Blood in the Scriptures

What is the significance of blood in the Scriptures?

God’s dealings with His ancient people Israel provides us with answers. It is in the animal offerings sacrificed to God that we begin to see the importance God places on the shed blood of those sacrifices.

Leviticus 17:11, 14 tell us, “(11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. (14)...You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is in its blood...”

Let’s consider what is in these verses.

1.       The life of the bodies of all living creatures is in their blood.

2.       Atonement, or the covering over of sins, can only be effective with the shed blood of innocent victims slain as sacrifices to God upon the brazen altar.

3.       Atonement for the sinner means that God has accepted the animal sacrifice on behalf of the offerer.

4.       It is the blood from the dead sacrifice that makes the atonement.

It seems strange that big burley men have been known to faint at the sight of their own blood. Why is this so? Maybe it’s because they instinctively know that if they lose all their blood they will die!

In Exodus chapter 12 we read of the story of the first Passover. A lamb was taken, was killed and its blood collected in a basin. That blood was sprinkled on the doorposts and lintel of the Hebrews’ house. When the destroying angel passed through Egypt that same night he passed over all the houses that had the blood sprinkled on them. In every other house in the land, the firstborn of man and beast was slain.

The lamb became the substitutionary victim instead of the firstborn of the Hebrews. The death of the victim and the shed blood of the victim were necessary to effect reconciliation and atonement by God. Exodus 12:13, “...when I see the blood, I will pass over you...”

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden “...they knew they were naked...” (Genesis 3:7).  They tried to cover themselves up with fig leaves. We read in Genesis 3:21 that the “...Lord God made coats of skins and clothed them.” Innocent animals had to die to clothe Adam and Eve appropriately in God’s sight.

When we come to the New Testament it is not animal sacrifices before us but the sacrifice made by the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary that captures our attention.

Hebrews 9:12, 14 states, “(12) Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption... (14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Let’s have a look at some of the blessings accruing to us through the blood of Christ.

Justification in God’s sight through Christ’s blood. Romans 5:9, “...having now been justified by His blood...”

Forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 1:7, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins...”

Peace with God. Colossians 1:20, “...having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Access to God. Hebrews 10:19, “...having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.”

Sanctification. Hebrews 13:12, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

Redemption through the blood. 1 Peter 1:18, 19, “(18)...you were not redeemed with...silver or gold...(19)...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Cleansing by the blood. 1 John 1:7, “...the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Washed us from sins. Revelation 1:5, “...washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

Glory everlasting through the blood. Revelation 7:14, 15, “(14) ...These are the ones...and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (15) therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And he who sits on the throne will dwell among them.”

Victory through the blood. Revelation 12:11, “and they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb...”

I hope by now a deeper understanding of the significance of the blood of Christ is yours. Meditate on the various verses, look at them in their context in the Scriptures and try to grasp why it is in 1 Peter 1:19 the Holy Spirit calls it the precious blood of Christ.

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted]

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