Scripture: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” – Hebrews 9:22
Examination: The Old Testament procedures for the forgiveness of sins and the role of the priests are reviewed. Specifically, it notes that it is necessary for a blood sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the people. The chapter finishes with the explanation that the old laws pertaining to the remission of sins was only temporary, but Jesus became the final sacrifice for sins on the cross. No longer was the old system necessary.
Application: Many years ago, a misunderstanding between a dear friend and me resulted in a severed friendship. We had attended the same church, and our children often played together. As the years went by, the sadness of the rift was pushed to the back of my mind, and while my broken heart mended over time, it never truly forgot the joys of the relationship we once had, even after I had moved away. However, despite the years that had passed, it was God’s desire that we reconnect and restore our relationship, especially because we were both sisters in the family of God.
At first, I was resistant… pride has a way of doing that… but the Holy Spirit isn’t a quitter. He continued to work on my hardened heart until I realized I needed to apologize. When I did, my friend welcomed me back into her life with open arms! The restoration was immediate, and my heart rejoiced!
As I reflect on that, I am reminded of Adam and Eve. When they sinned against God, their relationship with Him radically changed. Previous to the sin, God walked with the couple in the garden, but once they disobeyed, Genesis 3:8 states, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Intimate communion with God had been broken by the introduction of sin into the world. From that moment on, God would be physically and spiritually separated from His creation until restoration could be made.
In Genesis 3:15, we are told that it was God who made a way for all mankind to be reconciled to Him, and that solution was a blood sacrifice. Leviticus 17:11 explains, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” It was also God who made that first sacrifice in providing animal skins to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). However, the sins of man would continue to be passed on to every generation, and the blood of bulls and goats was only a temporary solution. Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, but His plan was to provide a permanent solution to our sin problem, and that solution was Jesus.
When Jesus died upon the cross, it was His blood that became the final atonement for the sins of the world. It was His life’s blood that dripped to the ground from His broken and battered body. It was His precious sinless blood that came pouring out of his body from the thrust of a cold Roman spear. It was His blood that purchased the redemption that we never could attain on our own.
The sacrifice of animals was only a temporary “fix” for the forgiveness of mankind’s sins, but God’s permanent solution was to offer Himself as the sacrifice to bring us back into a personal relationship with Him if we so choose to accept it.
Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Gifts are never forced upon people. Instead, they are accepted. By placing our faith and trust in Jesus’s work on the cross, we are accepting His gift of eternal life. Our sins are not only forgiven, but they are forgotten by God. He promises in Hebrews 10:17, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
Salvation is only made possible by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. He has proven Himself to be the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. He is “… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9), and as such, endured the shame, the suffering, and the most horrific death possible upon an old rugged cross to make a way for us to be reconciled with Him forever. John 3:16 clearly states the reason why Jesus did all this for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The price that was paid by Jesus to purchase our salvation was the shedding of His own precious blood. It alone met the demand that God’s holiness required for the forgiveness of sins. Because of His unfathomable love for us, He died, so that you and I could live.
Memory Verse: “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:8
Stretching your thoughts:
1. If you’ve never invited Christ into your life to forgive your sins and be your Saviour, why not do so now? He died, so you could live with Him forever. I promise you, with Jesus in your heart and soul, this will be the best Easter you will have ever celebrated.
See my Jesus on the cross, the people crying
Looking on, a man would think it tragedy
But what the world could not see
Was when they nailed Him to that tree
It would break the chains of sin′s captivity.
Love grew where the blood fell
Flow'rs of hope sprang up for men in misery
Sin died where the blood fell
I′m so glad this precious blood has covered me.
(from “Love Grew Where the Blood Fell” by John Starnes)