“PERHAPS THERE IS NO TOPIC IN RELIGIOUS CIRCLES MORE DISTURBING AND DISPUTED THAN THE ISSUE OF BLOOD. ESPECIALLY, IN THE WORLD OF CHRISTIANITY WHICH REQUIRES A BLOOD SACRIFICE FOR SIN”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the mystery that surround blood in the Bible and the Christian faith…

…Throughout my 23 years of ministry of the Word of God, I have often been asked by non-Christians, "Why do you Christians put such emphasis on ‘blood’ in your religion?" The truth is some people are quite repulsed by the mention of the shedding of blood, and after hearing of the numerous blood sacrifices in the Old Testament, they are sickened by it. Why even some professing Christian's whom we call ‘liberals’ have decried the reality of it through caustic words of condemnation. One such liberal theologian actually said: "The fundamental religion of a blood sacrifice is disgusting and offensive, a religion of shambles. Your gospel is a gospel of gore. It is repulsive to a refined, sensitive moral human being." Yet the fact remains, if one is to believe the Bible, they must face a God who calls for a “blood sacrifice” for the remission and cleansing of sins. Listen a synopsis of this from the Old Testament to the New Testament,

Lev 17:11 (NIV) "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life."

Rom 5:9 (NIV) "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!"

Heb 9:22 (NIV) "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

1 John 1:7 (NIV) "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, purifies us from all sin."

Indeed, as one reads of the tremendous mention of blood used for sacrifice in the Bible, it is a mystery to the mind of man. Yet a “mystery” it is. Now in the Bible we discover God presents us with a number of mysteries. For instance I find there are at least fifteen mysteries spoken of in the New Testament:

1.  The Mystery of the Kingdom (Mat. 13:11 ; Mar. 4:11 ; Luke 8:10 )
2.  The Mystery of Israel’s Blindness (Rom. 11:25 )
3.  The Mystery of the Gospel (Rom. 16:25 ; Eph. 6:19 )
4.  The Mystery of God’s Wisdom (1 Cor. 2:7-8)
5.  The Mystery of the Changed Body (1 Cor. 15:51 )
6.  The Mystery of God’s Will (Eph 1:9)
7.  The Mystery of the Gentiles & Jews Joined Together  (Eph. 3:3,9)
8.  The Mystery of  the Union of Christ and His people (Col. 1:26-27)
9.  The Mystery of God & Christ ( Col. 2:2-3)
10. The Mystery of Iniquity (1 Tim. 3:9)
11. The Mystery of Faith (1 Tim. 3:9)
12. The Mystery of Godliness (1 Tim. 3:16 )
13. The Mystery of the Seven Stars & Lampstands (Rev. 1:20)
14. The Mystery of God (Rev. 10:7)
15. The Mystery of Babylon (Rev. 17:5)

What is a mystery you might ask. Well in the Bible a mystery  is  “a heavenly secret or divine truth that was not revealed nor explained in previous ages, but is revealed and  made known to the Lord’s people by New Testament revelation.” Although the Bible does not directly call “blood sacrifice,” a mystery, it falls in the same category for in Old Testament times God’s command to sacrifice the blood of an animal, was never fully understood until God revealed the purpose in and through Jesus Christ.

You see this mystery is revealed in the fact that God says mankind's sins are at first covered by the sacrifices of animals, but now are fully cleansed and remitted by the final once for all blood sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Friend, if you want to believe in the God of the Bible, one must confront this graphic truth. But now, aside from the liberal who rejects a blood atonement, even within the ranks of the faithful and true Christians there is disagreement as to what the "blood of Christ," really means. It is this issue I wish to address, hopefully to give understanding and light to a most difficult but necessary subject. So let's begin by examining the issue and mystery of the blood sacrifice in Scripture.

First of all, one must define words. Although the Bible defines the usage of a word, language must alone define its actual meaning. To begin, our English translations use the word "blood" in the sense that the dictionary defines it. Looking this word up, we find it has three essential meanings: BLOOD means,

1.      the actual fluid which circulates in the heart, arteries and veins of creatures, carrying nourishment and oxygen to all parts of the body.

2.      The source of actual life such as "lifeblood; hence, life itself"

3.      The taking of that life, as deeds of blood as by murder, i.e. "bloodshed."

These three meanings can be used of the word "blood." Ironically, all three meanings are given to the word "blood" in the Bible. In fact, in the Old Testament we read,

Lev 17:11 (NIV) "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life."

Here at least two of the normal meanings are used and the third implied. The Bible tells us that the red fluid that flows in our arteries is essentially the basis of our life. Amazingly, this very old understanding of what blood is was unknown to the scientific mind until the year 1616, when William Harvey discovered this truth. For years, doctors bled people thinking that doing so would bring healing. Why even our first president of the United States of America , George Washington, died from being bled to treat a simple illness. Yet, thousands of years before Harvey 's discovery that blood is life, the Bible tells us this. Additionally, this verse in Leviticus tells us that that blood refers to the "taking of life." By shedding a creature's blood, its very life was ended. Moreover, this verse in Lev. 17:11 tells us another marvelous truth for it defines what life is. Scientist, Dr. Henry Morris in his "Defender's Study Bible" states,

"The Biblical definition of life (Hebrew word - nephesh) does not include plant life, which is created by God for food for man and animals. Thus plants do not 'die' in the Biblical sense since they are merely complex replicating chemical systems."

Indeed, the Bible reveals many truths surrounding the meaning of the word blood. However, the significance of all three meanings is found in the symbolic usage of this word as it pertains to the sacrificial atonement for the sins of the human race. It is here the real controversy lies. One that has evoked great emotion, especially the fear of ruining the meaning the Bible gives to the word and phrase, "the blood of Jesus Christ." We read in,

1 John 1:7 (NIV) "…the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

Heb 10:19 (NIV) "Therefore, brothers … we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,"

Rev 7:14 (NIV) "… These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Throughout the Old and New Testament, we find that the shedding of animal blood for sacrifice points to the one great sacrifice of the man Christ Jesus. His blood was literally shed on a cross at Calvary , which Scripture declares was the full and final payment for the sins of the world. Now here lies the controversy and the mystery of the blood. Is the actual blood shed by Christ, a literal sacrifice? Was this blood actually presented to God the Father as a substitute payment for our sins, or was it symbolically given to God for our sins? "What meaneth the blood?" Well, here's my answer. I ask you to judge it for yourself from the pages of Scripture.

To begin this thought, we all agree that the "blood" Christ shed was a literal happening on the cross of Calvary, almost 2000 years ago where the God-Man Jesus Christ hung in crucifixion, His dying body's blood, the fluid circulating in His body, was spilled and shed. Now the apostle Peter tells us about this blood. He says,

1 Pet 1:18-19 (NIV) "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Peter says Christ's blood was precious. Does this mean the literal fluid that coursed through His body giving Him human life and existence was precious? Or, is this symbolic? Well, in my judgment this word is symbolic of something else rather than the fluid itself. Peter is saying God gives significance to the blood in that He honors it not by gathering it in a “bowl” in the Holy Place of Heaven; rather, that it was shed for a precious and specific purpose. The shed blood represents the meaning of the "taking of life." To shed the blood of a living being is to take away its life, to snuff it out. This is the basic meaning of the blood sacrifice of Christ. His life was taken in death as a substitute for the sins of the world. Again the Bible makes this clear,

Rom 5:6 (NIV) "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

Rom 5:10 (NIV) "For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"

Friend understand this - it is the “death of Christ” that saves us, for in giving up His life on the cross, Jesus Christ offered it as a substitute payment for our lives that are required for our sins (Rom. 3:23). However, we must not so easily say the mention of Christ's blood is simply a metaphor or synecdoche. These figures of speech used in language are important and true. Here in pertaining to the "blood," it is used as a figure that represents the whole of something else. What is this "whole," or "something else?" Why, it is the complete atonement for sin. The atonement process in Scripture that brings a sinner into a right relationship with a holy sinless God involves judging and paying for sin’s crimes committed. The Bible tells us the cost of this judgment. We read in,

Ezek 18:4 (NIV) "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die."

Rom 3:23 (NIV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
Rom 6:23 (NIV) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The "blood of Christ," then in the Bible is used to mean the complete atoning process of substitutionary death of a sacrifice on behalf of the sinner - one life given for another to go free. This is why the Bible emphatically states, "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Thus, Christ's own normal physical blood by itself did not cleanse anyone from sin. It was that His precious blood was the life-blood of the infinite God-Man Himself. Blood therefore is the symbol of life and death, and it this symbol that carries with it the whole of the atonement. It is not Jesus' normal human physical blood that saves us. That blood was spilled on the ground at Calvary , and there it stayed. In fact Christ’s blood was not actually spilled until after He died. Now some believe Christ literally carried His blood in a bowl, to the Holy Place in the heavenlies, and offered it up there to the Father on our behalf. I do not believe this occurred. But Christ did die there on the cross, voluntarily giving up His life as a substitute for your life and mine. Now as shocking as this is, it was God the Father who executed Jesus, and shed His Son’s precious blood. God the Father took the perfect sinless life of Christ and there accepted it in payment for the sins of all mankind.

Now, consider this - if it is the actual literal and physical blood that saves us, then we could be saved without death. Just bleeding the sacrifice would have been sufficient. However, the pictures and symbols of animal sacrifice under the Old Testament Covenant shows us different. By the way, do you know that under the Old Testament Covenant a sinner could atone for his sins “without a blood sacrifice?”

Amazing as this is, the Bible tells us that if an Israelite was too poor to offer an animal or bird blood sacrifice, he could offer fine flour about two quarts to cover his sins.

Lev 5:11 (NIV) ""’If, however, he cannot afford two doves or two young pigeons, he is to bring as an offering for his sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He must not put oil or incense on it, because it is a sin offering."

Make no mistake, this was a sin offering and it was bloodless! Admittedly, this was the only exception, but because it was an exception it clearly shows us that the blood sacrifice was essentially symbolic. So, Christ's blood, when mentioned in Scripture, is reference to His violent atoning death on the cross, the sacrificial substitute giving of His life, for another. The awesome truth is God the Father, not the Roman's slew Christ, by “shedding His blood,” that is “taking His life in death.” Jesus Himself said of His life,

John 10:18 (NIV) "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.""

Now realize this - if Christ had not voluntarily given up His life, no sword could have killed Him! It was the Father's will that the Son die for our sins. It was Christ's cooperation and will to submit Himself as the final sacrifice for all mankind’s sin, and together the greatest act of love was accomplished at the cross. God Himself in the Person and Jesus Christ offered His limitless life as the infinite payment for all the sins of the human race. There, God the Father punished Christ, by suffering and death, for our sins. There, Jesus gave up His very life for all humanity. We talk about God’s forgiveness but there really is no forgiveness without a just payment for sin. You see forgiveness is a costly thing. The soul that sins God decreed shall die. You and I have a choice. We can one day face God for our sins, and His judgment in Scripture will be meted out to us as our lives will be taken in death.

Now it's important that we understand what death God demands for sin. It is the physical, and spiritual death of our lives! We as creatures were created in the image and life of God. Therefore, once this life is given us, we like God shall exist and live forever. If God decrees we should die for our sins, that means we will live on forever, but in a state of death. The meaning of death is separation. We who will die for our own sins, shall be separated from God forever. Separated from all our loved ones and friends, and from everyone else. There in eternity, unsaved sinners shall exist in the eternal and horrible state of death called Hell!

So rather than argue over the “blood of Christ” being symbolic, or being a terrible thing, we should note the awfulness of sin and the pain it caused God Himself. The Christian faith acknowledges that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. That means our pious thoughts, good works, religious rituals and deeds, even our kind social actions, all are valueless apart from the finished work of Christ in the giving of His life on the Cross.

Years ago, when the British Princess Diana was killed in a terrible car wreck, the funeral appeal for her being in heaven was her “good deeds, charity and compassion” for the wretched of society. As good as that is, in human terms, it will count for nothing, unless one’s sins are covered by the blood atonement of Christ. We can never come to God on our own terms. God has set the rules. The soul that sins shall die. As terrible as it is, the shedding of blood alone atones for our sins. This whole picture seen in the numerous animal sacrifices was fulfilled once for all in Christ's blood-death on the cross. Therefore, the correct "object of our trust," is the basis of all forgiveness in the end. Say friends are you trusting in Christ's blood-death to save you from your sins? Nothing else will do. His blood shed on Calvary 's cross is the only sacrifice God will accept for our sins. If you have not believed, it's time you do. God accepts every sinner who comes to Him “pleading the blood of Christ.” This oft used phrase in Christianity means that you now believe that Christ’s death alone is the only payment for your sin God will accept. Thus, when every Christian celebrates the Lord’s Supper Ordinance of the Church, we affirm what Jesus promised us,

Mat 26:28 (NIV) "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

1 Cor 11:26 (NIV) "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."

The cup of grape juice symbolically represents the blood Christ shed, and the blood Christ shed represents His priceless, precious life shed on the cross. Friend, have you received Christ's life as your substitute? He offers it to all who come to Him. It is this life alone that will grant us heaven and eternal life. I thank God, He offers it to any and all who come to Him simply by faith in His Person and work. It is for this reason the Gospel message is simple but serious,

Acts 16:31 (NIV) "… Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.""

Rom 10:9-10 (NIV) "…if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, [accepted His atoning death] you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Rom 5:1 (NIV) "Therefore, since we have been justified through [this] faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

1 John 1:7 (NIV) "…and the blood of Jesus, his Son, [continuously] purifies us from all sin."

So the great question is  -- have you availed yourself of this immense sacrifice? Have you received Christ's death on your behalf? The magnificent message of the Bible is we do this by faith alone. When we believe all that the Bible says about Christ and His work, our perilous state, and future because of sin, God the Father places to our sin account the shedding of Christ’s blood as payment in full for all our sins, past, present and future,. Moreover, His blood-death, eternal and infinite as it is, continues to cleanse us forever of our sins. O’ hallelujah for the cross! It is the Lord Jesus, alone and only, who died for me and for you! …

…Say friend, when you hear the term, "the blood of Jesus," what does it mean to you? Is it nothing to you? Is it something repugnant, or just a mystery to you? Well, God wants all to understand there is no forgiveness, nor is their anyway to God except through the blood-death of the infinite God-Man and Savior Jesus Christ. Peter the apostle so declares,

Acts 4:12 (NIV) "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.""

May this salvation full and free be your eternal possession, and may the Savior God, Jesus Christ ever be your Lord now and forever. Amen.