Hebrews 9:22, "In fact, the law requires that nearly
everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no
forgiveness." (NIV)
The Bible tells us that the only way sin can be cleansed and
forgiven is by the shedding of blood. Have you ever asked yourself why it was
necessary for blood to be shed to cover our sins? Why not something else, like
water, milk, or honey? Those items are much more easily attainable and do not
require as much of a sacrifice. Why the blood?
The first reason is because life is in the blood.
Leviticus 17:11, "For the life of a creature is in the
blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar;
it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." (NIV)
Quite simply, sin brings death.
Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)
The death that sin brings forth can only be thwarted by applying
an innocent life to it, which is in the blood. Innocent (or sinless) life
triumphs over death. (On a side note: this is why we can have eternal life,
because Jesus' sinless Blood has been applied to us forever!) Animals do not
sin. They did not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Their
blood is innocent.
The second reason for "Why the blood?" is because the Bible
tells us that blood speaks.
Genesis 4:10, "The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s
blood cries out to me from the ground." (NIV)
Abel's blood cried out for justice and to be avenged of his
murder! When man's blood is shed, it cries out for mercy and justice. Did you
know that blood continues to "speak?" We can take samples of tissue found with
blood in it from decades (and centuries) ago and run DNA tests to obtain
genealogical and other information.
You see, God chose to use the blood of animals not only because
they were innocent, but because they were not given the gift of speech.
Therefore, when their blood was shed, it remained silent and it could not cry
out for vengeance like Abel's. If God heard them, because He is Righteous and
Just, it would be demanded of His very nature to avenge the wrong-doing. It was
because of His Grace that He chose what He could not hear so that we could
live. And God being Righteous and Just will not judge the same crime twice!
Are you saying to yourself, "Oh, Sandy, c'mon! Give me a break, this is too
far-fetched!"? Well, consider the following scriptures.
Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed
and afflicted, yet He did not
open His mouth; He was led like a
lamb
to the slaughter, and as
a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth."
(NIV)
Hebrews 12:24, " to Jesus the Mediator
of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled Blood
that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." (NIV)
The Blood of Jesus speaks better things than the blood of Abel.
What that means is when Jesus' Blood was shed as our ultimate sacrifice for sin,
Jesus went like a lamb silently to the slaughter,
John 19:8-10, " When Pilate heard this, he was
even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace.
“Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.
10 “Do
you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said..." (NIV),
and Jesus' Blood did not cry out for justice from His enemies as
Abel's did. Instead, Jesus' Blood cried out, "Father, forgive them for they are
innocent!" His Blood is still crying that today and forever to those who will
receive His amazing gift!
We have so much to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving
season!
Love and blessings to you and yours,
Pastor Sandy
