The Cross of Jesus Christ 3
Shedding of the Blood
The shedding of Jesus Christ's Blood on the Cross was an essential factor in order for us to receive forgiveness for our sins and acceptance into the presence of God
"... without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" Hebrews 9:2
LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD
"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves . . . it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life" Leviticus 17:11 .
blood represents the very life. Sin demands the death penalty (Ezekiel 18:4). Jesus shed His Blood and poured out his life - instead of us - so that by receiving through faith what He did in our place, we are set free from the judgement we deserve.
SIN CREATES. . .
Separation between God and man (Isaiah 59:2). A sense of guilt in man (Genesis 3:7-1O).
Satan's ground of accusation of man before God (Revelation 12:10).
THE BLOOD OF CHRIST MEETS THIS THREE-FOLD NEED
Towards God.
Towards man.
Towards Satan.
THE PURPOSE OF THE BLOOD
1. THE BLOOD IS FOR GOD
The Blood of Christ wholly satisfies God.
Exodus 12. The blood on the doorposts of the Israelite homes satisfied God.
" . . . When I see the blood I will pass over you . . . " (v. 3).
Leviticus 16. On the Day of Atonement (the Old Testament ceremony set by God to picture the cleansing of sin) the priest sprinkled the blood upon the mercy seat to satisfy God, when it was presented to Him on behalf of the people. Jesus presented His own Blood, which alone truly satisfied God (Hebrews 9:7-1 2)
Romans 5:8-9. Being now justified by His Blood, fellowship is restored with God.
Ephesians 1 :7. We are redeemed through the precious blood of Christ.
2. THE BLOOD IS FOR MAN
The Blood has satisfied God; now it is to satisfy us in the cleansing of our conscience from guilt.
THE BLOOD CLEANSES FROM GUILT
"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God " Hebrews 9: 14.
THE BLOOD SANCTIFIES US
"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate" Hebrews 13: 12 (KJV) .
THE BLOOD GIVES PEACE WITH GOD: RECONCILIATION
" . . . and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour" Colossisns 1 :20-21.
THE BLOOD GIVES BOLDNESS TO ENTER THE HOLIEST
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body . . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" Hebrews 10: 19-22.
THE BLOOD PERFECTS US IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
" . . . because by one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy" Hebrews 10:14.
3.THE BLOOD IS FOR THE DEVIL
Satan's most strategic activity in this age is as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) and it is as this that the Lord confronts him with His special ministry as High Priest through His own Blood (Hebrews 9: 11 - 14).
THE BLOOD PUTS GOD ON MAN'S SIDE AGAINST THE DEVIL
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Read Romans 8:31-34 (KJV).
The devil has no ground for accusation against those who have received the work of Christ's shed Blood for them.
THE BLOOD DISSOLVES ALL SATAN'S LEGAL RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP
" . . . in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" Colossians 1: 14.
'Redemption' means 'to buy back'. We are under new ownership, and the price that was paid for us was the shed blood of Jesus.
" . . . the church of God, which he bought with his own blood" Acts 20:28 (see also 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Timothy 2:6).
WHAT THE BLOOD OF CHRIST HAS BOUGHT US
PEACE (Colossians 1 :20).
PURITY OF HEART (1 John 1 :7).
JUSTIFICATION (Romans 5:9).
FELLOWSHIP (1 Corinthians 10: 16).
ETERNAL LIFE (John 6:54).
APPROACH TO GOD (Ephesians 2:13).
DEFEAT OF SATAN (Revelation 12:11).
SANCTIFICATION (HOLINESS) (Hebrews 13: 12).
BOLDNESS (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Shedding of the Blood