Introduction

When you hear the phrase the blood of Jesus, what come to your mind? What do you think or believe the blood means for you? Or maybe you’ve once wondered: “what’s so special about the blood of Jesus anyway?”

In this study, I will explore in detail the biblical foundation of blood sacrifice, the unmatched redemptive power of the blood of Jesus Christ, your expected response to His sacrifice for you, and the consequences of neglecting it.

The Biblical Basis for Blood Sacrifice

The Need for Sacrifice or the Shedding of Blood

Sins against the Holy God must be punished, whether we agree with it, believe it, or not. In Romans 6:23, the Bible says that “the wages of sins is death.” This “death” involved both physical, and ultimately, spiritual death.

Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body; while spiritual death is the eternal separation of the soul from God. In this horrible condition, the sinner spends eternity in the lake of fire.

There are those who deny and refuse to believe in  the everlasting punishment of sinners. But beware, there is a reason Jesus Christ spoke more about hell than He did about heaven.

So, for any sinner to receive forgiveness, there must be death or shedding of blood. This has been the means to forgiveness from the beginning of time. In Hebrews 9:22, the Bible says “without shedding of blood is no remission.”

The Blood Represents Life

In Leviticus 17:11, the Bible says “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.” Therefore, a life is taken when blood is shed, or a blood sacrifice is made, be it of animal or man.

In the Old Testament (OT), God commanded the people to make animal sacrifices for the remission of their sins. The picture is that the sinner who deserves to die (due to sin Romans 6:23) brings the animal to be sacrificed in his place.

This was the only way to (temporarily) restore relationship with God after breaking any of His commandments.

The Limitation of Atonements Apart from the Blood of Jesus Christ

The Limitation of the Animal Sacrifices

One of the problems with the OT blood sacrifices was that they only provided temporary cleansing, and did not remove the guilt of sin.

Hebrews 10:4,11 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

Since the death (or blood) of animals cannot fully pay for the sins of man, he is still in trouble with God. It was only by grace that God spared the lives of the OT believers following the animal sacrifices. God had a plan for a real sacrifice that would serve as the actual payment for the penalty of sin.

That ultimate sacrifice is of the very Son of God. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die and pay for the sins of the whole world. All who believe in Him will receive the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life.

John 3:16 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.

But wait, why does it have to be Jesus Christ? What makes His blood unique and carry such power to redeem anyone who trusts in Him? Keep reading!

The Limitation of Finite Men in Atonement

The Bible has ruled out the option of an animal paying for the sins of human beings (Hebrews 10:4,11). What about a man paying for the sins of another man? There is also a huge road block for that in Romans 3:23 which declares that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Only an innocent man can die in the place of a convicted sinner. Unfortunately, “there is none righteous!”

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Even if there is a remote chance that a sinless person exists (which we know is impossible), he/she can only die for one person’s sins. But it gets even worse, because for you to pay for your own sins, you will have to die and then go to suffer eternally in the lake of fire. The reason for that is that God is holy and eternal. Because He is an infinite God, sins against Him require infinite punishment.

Eternity is the worst thing that can happen to you! The solution therefore is a sinless and infinite man. An innocent man who can take the place of the guilty one; and an infinite man whose blood and death can cover the sins of the whole world! The Bible provides a clue to that Person in the following passage:

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Understanding the Significance of the Blood of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 1:1-4; 3:16) who came to this world in the form of man (Philippians 2:6-8) to suffer and die for the sins of man (Isa 53:5,8,10-11; Matthew 20:28; John 1:29; Heb 9:28).

He was, and still is, the perfect and sinless Son of God and God the Son. He lived in perfect obedience to the Father, and achieved the perfection that we failed to achieve. And then He willingly gave His life, self-sacrificed Himself in our stead.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Because Christ was the spotless Lamb of God, He could die in the place of a sinner. And because He is God and infinite, His sacrifice can permanently cover the sins of the whole world. But not only did He give “himself a ransom for all,” He also continues to cleanse us from all future sins and make intercession for us with the Father.

This Is Unparalleled! One Perfect Blood, Once For All, For Everyone, Forever

Tell me someone else, whether from the past, or in the present, who can do all these for you. That someone doesn’t exist. Only the perfect and unblemished sacrifice of Jesus can cleanse and redeem you (1 Peter 1:18-19). From overcoming the guilt of sin to embracing hope of eternal life, the ONE sacrifice of Jesus Christ truly “obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12).

This is what makes His blood unique and special. Hence Jesus boldly proclaims “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.

This is why you must take Jesus Christ and His sacrifice seriously! He is the only God-approved solution to the problem of sin – the only available way to God. If you miss Him or neglect His sacrifice, you will pay the eternal price. A study like this is published to help you avoid just that!

What Jesus Christ Did for You

There is a profound truth written in 2 Corinthians 5:19:

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Having lived a perfect life as the “Man Christ Jesus,” He willingly submitted Himself to suffer and be crucified on the cross for the sins of man. He wasn’t forced or bullied to do it (John 10:17-18). It was His willing act of self-sacrifice driven by the love of Jesus for the whole world.

Remember that popular Bible verse?

John 3:16 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.

On the cross, Christ shed every drop of His blood as the sacrifice for our sins. The good news is that the Father accepted His sacrifice.

Before He died on the cross, He declared “It is finished” (John 19:30). This means “paid in full” and it is a reference to our redemption. He fully paid the penalty for our sins with His blood on the cross.

1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The Divine Power of Jesus Christ

In the same verse, John 19:30, where Jesus declared “it is finished,” the Bible says that Christ “gave up the ghost,” meaning He died. No man can just willingly die this way without any external factors playing a role.

Jesus Christ is God in human flesh, with the divine ability to willingly lay down His life, and then take it back.

John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Christ intentionally shed His blood to buy our redemption.

Redemption Realized: The Power and Promise of the Blood of Jesus

The story did not end in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Amen! On the third day, He rose from the dead to confirm the completion of the work of our redemption. In Romans 4:25, the Bible says that Christ “was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Benefits of the Shed Blood of Jesus Christ

The work of redemption is complete. The price is fully paid and salvation is now available by the grace of God to all who will accept it by faith.

We owed death for our sins (Romans 3:23), that was exactly what Christ paid on our behalf. We were sold into slavery due to sin, and Christ bought us back (redeemed) with His blood!

The Blood of Jesus Made Peace Between You and God

Christ made peace with God possible by shedding His blood (Colossians 1:20). Sinners who believe can now receive the forgiveness of sin (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14) and be set free from the wrath of God. With this forgiveness, the sinner is restored into fellowship with God.

Our sins separated us from God, but with His blood, Christ reconciled us unto God. The blood of Jesus bridges the gap and restores our relationship with God. We now have a direct undeterred access to God. We become His beloved children and He our God and Father (Galatians 4:6).

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

It Continues to Cleanse and Sanctify the Believers

Sin did not magically stop when we get saved. We are still capable of sinning. But the good news is that the precious blood of Jesus Christ continues to cleanse us. Christ continues to be our advocate with the Father.

Romans 8:33-34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Bible encourages believers to avoid sins and it provide the divine comfort for those times that we fail God.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

This is a great source of comfort and it is among the things that guarantee the salvation of all those who trust in Jesus Christ.

Christ won the victory over sin and death, and so are the believers in Him. Having believed, they are empowered to live in newness of life, a life that is no longer dominated by sinful desires but by the will of God.

For more on the functions and purpose of the blood of Jesus Christ, please see Amazing Ransom: The Purpose of the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The Expected Response to the Blood of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ died and rose again for one reason – to pay the penalty for our sins and redeem us.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Salvation is By Faith Alone

Jesus Christ settled the debt of our sins. God now offers forgiveness of sins and salvation free of charge to any anyone who will receive it by faith. Yes, there is no works or payment required. Christ has done the works and made the payment on our behalf.

Remember, the Bible did not say that the wages of sin is good works. or generosity. It is death! And that is what Christ paid. Hence, to be saved from the penalty of sin, all a sinner needs is to believe in what Christ has done – His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection the third day.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

If you have never trusted in Christ, you can do it now. All it takes is for you to admit your sins and agree with God that you cannot save yourself no matter how much you try. Repent from your sins and believe with all your heart that Christ died for your sins and rose again for your justification.

Pause and pray to God right now to save you from the penalty of your sins. If you are sincere with that, you will be saved. God will forgive your sins and give you the gift of eternal life that He promised those who believe.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

The Consequence of Disregarding the Blood of Jesus Christ

The cost of disregarding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is indescribable. I strongly recommend that you do not put off your decision to trust Him as your personal Saviour and Lord.

Remember, He had paid the price in full. You can only get to God through Him. Apart from Jesus Christ, all other ways lead to destruction and eternal torment.

It cost you nothing to believe in Jesus Christ, and you have eternity to gain for it. But if you choose to reject Him and His sacrifice for you, you have no other advocate that will speak for you with God. That means you are headed for judgment – eternity in the lake of fire. That is wages of sin.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Time is Running Out, Don’t Delay Your Decision

Any sinner whose sin is not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ is under the wrath of God. If you die in that condition, there is no hope for you. So, trust in Christ now while you still can. There is no repentance in the grave but regrets.

Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Everyone will die someday. You are not promised tomorrow and death does not give advanced notice. The good news of salvation is only good while you can still believe. When you die, it is all over. So, believe before it is too late!

Conclusion: A Choice Between Life and Death

The precious blood of Jesus Christ is the only acceptable ransom for our redemption. It is the only source of the forgiveness of sin, regeneration, and eternal life for those who trust in Christ. Ignoring the blood of Jesus or the redemptive work of Christ carries enormous consequences.

Will you embrace the sacrifice of Christ as the only means of your redemption, or will you treat it as having no effect? Remember one of the warnings in the Book of Hebrews:

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

And for you who have believed, there is victory in the blood of Jesus Christ. Victory over sin, the flesh, the world, the devil, and even death.

In addition, with salvation in Christ comes the hope of eternal life. There is also the unlimited blessings and inheritance in Christ. So, walk in your victory and let your life reflect the holiness and glory of God.

I hope and pray that you will understand what all of these means. Your life will never remain the same again! Take a moment today to appreciate God for the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for reading!