(Ephesians 1:7) We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

In understanding the why of the “through His blood” we need to look at the phrase “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin”. This phrase is quoted in Hebrews 9:22 in reference to the blood of Jesus Christ, but first appears in Leviticus 17:11, although differently worded. Why did God require the shedding of blood in order to remit sin? Because of the value of blood it was necessary to clean what was tainted by sin. The value of blood is determined by what God has contained in blood.

(If you have not read Blood Blessings #1″ please click the following link… https://4rs4thechurch.com/2018/05/17/blood-blessings-ephesians-17/)

Leviticus 17:11 reveals that the life of man is in His blood. This means that the physical principal of life is contained in the blood. Given common medical knowledge and as previously stated, blood carries all that is necessary for our physical life to every part of the body. The Hebrew phrasing reveals further, that the very soul of man, or that which makes him an individual made in the image of God, is contained in the blood. Therefore, not only is blood a physical reality, but it is also an essential spiritual reality.

From medicine we understand that as blood leaves the body, so does life ebb out of that body, because God placed the principal of life in the blood. This is instructive, for Adam’s sin introduced into the blood (physical/spiritual life) the destructive power of sin, which then flowed throughout the whole spirit, soul, and body. In lieu of this reality let us consider that to God the value of the blood is tallied by the value of the life, if righteous or unrighteous. Therefore, for those born after Adam and with his passed down sin nature, we can understand the truth of Rom. 3:23…

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

For this reason Christ’s shed blood has preeminent value for dealing with the sin of all men. Therefore, when God foresaw our fall into unrighteousness (before creation), in the fullness of time brought forth Christ (Galatians 4:4-7), whose perfect life and blood is of perfect value to atone for sin.

God did this “in the fullness of time”, because His plan needed to unfold—as men needed to grasp their sinful state and their desperate need for the blood sufficient to cleanse their account before the Holy God. We see a form of blood sacrifice for sin offering as far back as Genesis 4 (Genesis 3:21 if we count the coats of skin from God). Job, the oldest dated O.T. book begins with the protagonist, making sin offering not only for himself, but his entire family. When encountering Abraham in Genesis 22, where he was called upon to sacrifice his only son, we understand this was the sin offering.

Later on, in exodus, YWHW institutionalized the blood sacrifice for the atonement on sin, through the law of God. The law revealed to men their sin (Romans 7:7). It also revealed their need for blood to cover their sin. In considering God’s eternal plan for Christ’s blood, and how from the fall he instituted blood sacrifice to atone for sin, we can understand why most world religions have some half-baked way to atone for sins, with and without a form of blood. As all men from Cain, they want to appease God their way, but He only accepts Jesus’ blood.

Therefore, even the spotless blood of an animal could be sufficient for all the damage of sin. This is why the Jews, who rejected Christ, missed the point.

(Hebrews 10:4) For it is not possible that blood of bulls and goats could take away sin.

The O.T. sacrifices were to point to the one who would come to not only remove sin, guilt and its effects, but use the blood as a means to purchase us as special possessions. If they had only regarded Job who lived before the law was written, and sacrificed by faith in the One who would come.

(Job 19:25-27) For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at the last day on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me.

Job’s faith was not in the blood of the animals He sacrificed, being the element to deal with his sin, it was in the One the animal blood pointed to and what His blood would accomplish.

(Hebrews 9:11-12)But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

The Most Holy Place is in reference to the Holy of Holies, in the temple of god, but not the temple of God built with human hands. Christ entered the Most Holy Place in heaven, of which the earthbound temple was a mere type. He went in, with His own blood, blood sufficient for the task—blood representing only perfectly righteous Human life—blood first spilled on the alter God chose before the foundation of the world—the cursed tree, the Roman cross. Marvel with me at the eternality of the shed blood of Christ and the alter God chose and prophesied about over 900 years before Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection (Psalm 22:6-8, 16-18).

But I am a worm and no man; a reproach of men and despised of the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake their head, saying, “He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him”

For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet. I can count all my bones. They look at Me and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.

How could David have know about Jesus’ blood flowing from pierced hands, not to mention the exact words of the mockers, as well as the condition of the bloodletting, which was emaciation through blood loss “I can count all my bones”. Yet David begins another eternal prophetic revelation in verse 14.

“I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint’ My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me”.

When considering this passage in light of John 19:33-34 and 36-37, we can worship God with greater awe and hearts full of faith.

“But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out… for these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones would be broken.’ And again another Scripture says “They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced’.  

The second prophecy was written in Zechariah 12:10, and John’s description of the water and blood is a bonafide medical condition called pericardial effusion—His heart became like wax, and melted within the midst of Him. Therefore the last sight of the Christ was water and blood. Be assured every drop of His holy all sufficient blood was counted on our behalf. Next time, we will consider the blessing of the blood in “We have redemption, through His blood…”. Until then, worship the LORD as you marvel in the eternal power of His blood.