The Blood of Jesus: Hebrews 9.16-22

There is a lot of talk about blood in the church these days. Who would have thought that blood would be controversial? In fact, there are many "Christians" who will not even talk about the blood of Jesus. "It is too offensive," they say. There are many who diminish the significance of the sacrifice that Jesus made.


Surely you remember the controversy a few years ago over the film that tried to depict the last hours of Jesus on earth. It was too bloody, too violent, too offensive for many in and outside the church. The blood of Jesus is, and has been, a problem for many.


Although the sacrifice of Jesus and the shedding of blood is important in the gospel accounts, and although our theology and doctrines are filled with the blood of Christ, and although our hymnody is loaded with blood language, we still get a little queasy about it. But this should not be.

• There is Tradition in the blood of Jesus. Our history, our beliefs and our life come from the tradition surrounding the blood of Christ our Savior.

1) First of all, we know that there is life in the blood.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17.11

By shedding his blood, we know that Jesus was obedient to death on the cross. He gave his life.

2) The sacrificial system of the Old Testament required the shedding of blood for forgiveness.

According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9.22

The opportunity to be forgiven comes from the sacrifice of Jesus through his shed blood.

• There is a transaction in the blood of Jesus. In a consumer-oriented society we often think of everything in terms of transactions. In this case, it works.

* In giving his blood as a sacrifice, Jesus arranged for the payment for the forgiveness of our sins. We are forgiven by the shedding of His blood.

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hebrews 13.12

• There is a transfusion in the blood of Jesus. We are made- spiritually, at least- completely new people when we join Christ. The very core of our existence is changed. Our insides are changed to conform to the will of God.

*His blood replaces ours through forgiveness. We are new creatures in him.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5.17