Why is blood significant in both Old and New Testament covenants? Blood as God’s Chosen Sign of Life and Atonement • Leviticus 17:11—“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…”. • From the very beginning, God identifies blood with life itself. Because sin brings death (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23), only a life given in place of the sinner can satisfy divine justice. • By assigning blood this role, God makes the cost of forgiveness unmistakably visible. The First Covenant Ratified with Blood • Hebrews 9:18—“That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.” • Exodus 24:5-8 describes Moses sprinkling half the blood on the altar and half on the people: – The altar side: God’s acceptance. – The people side: their commitment and cleansing. • Blood, therefore, was the binding legal signature between God and Israel, confirming blessings and penalties alike. Continual Old-Testament Reminders • Daily sacrifices (Numbers 28), annual Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), and countless individual offerings kept Israel mindful that sin costs life. • Hebrews 10:3—those sacrifices were “an annual reminder of sins.” They pointed forward to a greater, once-for-all sacrifice still to come. The New Covenant Proclaimed in Christ’s Blood • Luke 22:20—“This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” • Jesus fulfills the pattern by offering His own sinless life in place of ours. No animal substitute could achieve this (Hebrews 10:4). • Hebrews 9:12—He entered the heavenly sanctuary “once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.” Why Christ’s Blood Is Superior • Perfect sacrifice: 1 Peter 1:19 calls Him “a lamb without blemish.” • Once for all: Hebrews 9:26—“He has appeared once for all…to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” • Cleansing conscience: Hebrews 9:14—His blood “purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” • Establishes eternal inheritance: Hebrews 9:15—those called “may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” Practical Implications for Believers Today • Complete forgiveness—Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” • Ongoing cleansing—1 John 1:7: “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” • Bold access—Hebrews 10:19: “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” • Motivation for holy living—1 Corinthians 6:20: “You were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.” Summary Old and New Testaments agree: without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). In the Old Covenant, animal blood foreshadowed deliverance; in the New Covenant, Christ’s own blood accomplishes it forever. God’s consistent requirement highlights both His absolute holiness and His astonishing grace, giving believers unshakable assurance of redemption and access to Him. |
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