Rev. John Willoughby
6/. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
The penalty of our sins separate us from God (Isa 59:2), make us feel guilty (Ps 38:4), allows Satan to accuse us (Rev 12:10) and demands the death penalty (Rom 6:23).
1. JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD TO MAKE US AT ONE WITH GOD
The Bible says, the fife of any creature is in its blood…. It is the blood, representing life, that brings you atonement (Lev 17:11) and “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins’ (Heb 9:22). Atonement means, ‘to be made at one with God’. Jesus paid the penalty for us by dying in our place and shedding His blood, so that we can ‘be made at one with God’. Paul wrote, “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God – all because of what Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God’ (Rom 5:11). By faith we accept that by the shedding of His blood we are no longer His enemies but His friends, His sons and daughters.
2. JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD TO RELEASE US FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
God told the children of Israel to spread the blood of the lamb on the lintels of the doors and “when I see the blood I will pass over you” (Ex 12:13). They escaped from the judgement of God, which fell on the Egyptians. When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said, “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). We too are released from the consequences of sin, as we receive the cleansing of His blood.
a) The blood sanctifies us. Heb 13:12. The Bible says, “the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from every sin …. If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong (I Jn 1:7,9).
b) The blood brings us close to God. Col 1:19-22. Paul wrote, “But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though once you were far away from God, now you have been brought near to Him, because of the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:13).
c) The blood gives boldness to enter God’s presence. Mt 27:50-51. We read in Heb 10:19, “And so dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place, because of the blood of Jesus”.
d) The blood gives us eternal life. Jn 6:53-54. The Bible says, “For by that one offering He perfected for ever all those whom He is making holy” (Heb 10:14).
3. JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD TO RELEASE US FROM THE BONDAGE OF SATAN
Satan’s most strategic activity is as ‘the accuser of the brethren’ (Rev 12:10) and it is this aspect which the Lx>rd confronts in His special ministry as High Priest
a) The blood puts God on man’s side against the devil. Heb 9:11-12. Paul wrote, “Who dare accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No! He is the One who has given us right standing with Himself (Rom 8:33). The devil has no grounds for accusation against those who have received cleansing through the shed blood of Jesus.
b) The blood destroys all Satan’s legal rights of ownership. Col 1:13-14. Redemption means ‘to buy back’. Paul wrote, “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price” (I Cor 6:19-20). We are under new ownership and the price that was paid for us was the shed blood of Jesus.
MY COMMITMENT
I now understand what the shed blood of Jesus means. I will remind myself often of the covenant God has with me, to forgive and to cleanse me from sin and to protect me from Satan’s harm. I commit to share with others.
