The Blood of Christ

            “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Heb. 9:22).  The old levitical system was a very bloody system (Lev. 1-5).  Yet, the blood of bulls and goats could never really take away sin (Heb. 10:3-4).  How thankful we should be that Jesus was willing to shed His blood once for all for sin (Heb. 10:12).  Notice just how important the blood of Christ is to our salvation.

            Jesus’ blood removes sin from our life.  When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper He said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Mt. 26:28).  When Jesus was on the cross “…one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (Jn. 19:34).  It was at this point in time when a fountain was opened for cleansing and sin (Zech. 13:1).  Without the shedding of Jesus blood we would not have forgiveness. 

            Jesus’ blood redeems us to God.  The Apostle Paul said, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).  Paul later said that we are brought near to God through the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13).  The word “redeem” literally means to “buy back.”  Before Jesus shed His blood we were enslaved to sin (Rom. 6:17-18).  Only through the blood of Christ could we be brought back into a right relationship with God (Jn. 14:6).

            Jesus’ blood brings us into a peaceful relationship.  Paul told the Colossian Christians that Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20).  Man and God had been severed because of man’s sin (Isa. 59:1-2).  We were at enmity with God (James 4:4).  Yet, through the blood of Christ we can have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-8).

            Jesus blood is essential to having a relationship with God.  Have you had your spirit washed in the blood of Christ?  We are told in Revelation 1:5 that Jesus loves us and is willing to wash us form our sins in His own blood (Rev. 1:5).  At what point do we contact the blood of Christ?  We contact the blood of Christ in the watery grave of baptism.  Paul was told to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).  Since it is the blood of Christ that cleanses our sins, and that happens during one’s baptism we must conclude that baptism is the point at which we reach the blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16).  At the McLish Avenue church of Christ we would love to help you become a child of God.  If you would like to have a Bible study or need any spiritual help, we would be glad to assist you.  May God help each of us to realize the importance of the blood of Christ!