What does "sprinkling of the blood" symbolize for Christians in Hebrews 11:28? Tracing the Phrase Through Its Original Moment “By faith Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.” (Hebrews 11:28) • That night in Egypt, every Israelite household obeyed God’s instruction to apply the lamb’s blood to doorframes (Exodus 12:7, 13). • The angel of destruction literally “passed over” any home marked by that blood. • Belief was proven by the visible act of sprinkling; safety came only because the blood was present. What the Blood Meant on That First Passover 1. Substitution – a flawless lamb died in place of the firstborn. 2. Protection – judgment fell everywhere except where blood covered. 3. Identification – the mark distinguished God’s people from Egypt’s. 4. Covenant sign – Yahweh pledged, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). 5. Faith response – the outward act revealed inward trust in God’s word. How the Spirit Links Passover to Christ • “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • “How much more will the blood of Christ… purify our consciences” (Hebrews 9:13-14). • “To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word” (Hebrews 12:24). • Peter echoes the theme: believers are chosen “for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood” (1 Peter 1:2). The original sign on wood lintels now finds ultimate fulfillment on the wood of the cross. The Passover lamb prefigured “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Five Truths the Sprinkled Blood Teaches Believers Today • Forgiveness secured – His blood releases us “from our sins” (Revelation 1:5). • Judgment averted – the wrath we deserve has already fallen on the Substitute (Romans 5:9). • Cleansing experienced – “the blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). • Covenant belonging – we are “purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). • Ongoing access – we “enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). Living in the Good of the Sprinkled Blood • Rest in full assurance: if God spared Israel because of a lamb’s blood, how much more will He keep those covered by Christ’s? • Walk in daily cleansing: confess sin quickly, confident that the same blood continually purifies. • Celebrate deliverance: communion, worship, and testimony all point back to the price paid. • Extend the news: just as Israelites told their children the Passover story (Exodus 12:26-27), believers share the gospel so others may come under the blood’s protection. The sprinkling Moses practiced was never mere ritual; it was a Spirit-given preview of the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. For every Christian, it symbolizes nothing less than perfect atonement, present security, and everlasting covenant life. |
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