I love it when Scripture comes alive and you see things all of sudden click. I had a moment like this last week and it reminded me of how easily we make things more complicated than they have to be because we try so hard to understand it through our flawed human eyes. The revelation was so simple that I wanted to laugh but then was so thankful at how God designed things.
Before Jesus’ death on the cross, a blood sacrifice was required for the forgiveness of sin. There were some very specific requirements of the sacrifice: pure, no blemish, first born, etc. A few years ago my husband and I traveled to Asia for a mission trip. At the beginning of our week, the pastor and church members slaughtered a goat as a way of welcoming us and this would be used for our meals for the rest of the week. I remember the pastor explaining the purpose of a sacrifice and the truth of Isaiah 53:7 suddenly became alive like never before:
“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (NIV)
As I was reading last week about Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, I began to realize the importance of blood in our lives- physical and spiritual. Our body needs blood to survive. Every cell, every organ, every bodily function depends on our bodies having enough blood supply. If a serious injury occurs and too much blood is lost, death is certain. Our bodies simply have to have it to survive. Having blood flowing through our veins proves that we are alive.
Just like our physical lives depend on blood, our spiritual lives depend on blood as well. Hebrews 9:22 (NIV) says: “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” For the forgiveness of sin, there has to be a sacrifice. Leviticus 17:11 (NIV) says: “It is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” Our sins are washed as white as snow because of Jesus’ blood. Our sins are forgiven and we are made whole by His stripes. (Isaiah 53:5). Because of the blood that Jesus shed, no other sacrifice is required for salvation or forgiveness of sins. The blood covers it all.
I love the words of the old hymn “Nothing But the Blood.
”What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYjhGeAIG6k