Blood is mentioned throughout Scripture, but what does Christ's blood mean to us?
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." (Hebrews 9:14)
Rahab, the woman spoken to in this passage, was a harlot in the city of Jericho. As the Israelites came to possess the land, her city was destined for destruction — and she along with it. But she was delivered, and her life transformed simply by tying a scarlet cord in her window.
This cord represented the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it pointed toward the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. In fact, all of the Bible is about Jesus Christ and His blood redemption, and you will find this scarlet thread throughout the Word of God.
From the very beginning of human history, it is revealed. When Adam and Eve sinned, God shed innocent blood in order to make their clothes from animal skins (Genesis 3:21). This is a picture of the covering of righteousness that we received when the Lord Jesus Christ died for us.
In Genesis 4, we read that Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. They instinctively wanted to worship God. Cain sacrificed the fruit of the ground. Abel had already learned that God demanded blood, so he brought a lamb. God accepted the blood of Abel's lamb, but He did not accept Cain's offering. Why? Because "without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin" (Hebrews 9:22).
His blood redeems us. There was a price against us that we could not pay, but the blood of Jesus redeemed us. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things.... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
His blood brings us into fellowship with God. According to Ephesians 2:13, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Without the blood of Christ, man is a long way from God.
Matthew 26 contains one of the most well-known events in human history and certainly the most famous meal ever eaten, the Last Supper.
As the disciples sat together, Jesus said, "‘Take it and eat it, for this is my body'" (Matthew 26:26).
He then gave thanks, offered them the cup, and said, "‘Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many'" (Matthew 26:27-28).
Hebrews 9:22 - Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Revelation 12:11 - And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
What did early Christian theologians say about the blood of Jesus?
Early theologians like Augustine and Origen taught that Christ’s blood was transformative. Augustine believed it reconciled humanity with God, offering a permanent solution to sin, while Origen viewed it as essential for spiritual purification, establishing a foundation for salvation through Christ's sacrifice.
How do atonement theories explain the significance of Christ’s blood?
Different atonement theories provide unique perspectives on Christ’s blood. Penal Substitution sees His blood as satisfying God’s justice, the Moral Influence theory emphasizes how it inspires believers to live righteously, and Christus Victor focuses on Christ’s blood defeating sin and evil.
How is the blood of Jesus understood in Christian sacraments?
In Catholicism, the Eucharist is seen as literal participation in Christ’s body and blood, whereas Protestant denominations typically view Communion as a symbolic remembrance of His sacrifice. Both views highlight the importance of Christ’s blood in worship and spiritual life.
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