Oh The Blood

Oh, The Blood (Hebrews 9:11-15)

Pastor Christopher J. Respass

February 6, 2005

Oh, The Blood

(Hebrews 9:11-15)

Introduction. Christian churches around the world commemorate Jesus’ death and resurrection through the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist. At the heart of this ordinance is the drinking of juice or wine, symbolizing the shed blood of Jesus Christ. There are some churches where unless you mention the blood of Jesus you haven’t preached at all. When someone is living a life that is outside the will of God and appears to be more consistent with the flesh than the Spirit some have been told that, “you need to be washed by the blood of the lamb.” So what is this big deal about blood and its relation to Jesus Christ? What’s so different about Jesus’ blood that it has obtained a prominent place is Christian Theology?

To understand the importance of Jesus’ blood we must first understand a little bit about the sacrificial system.

I. Old Testament Sacrificial System

A. The Israelites had several different sacrificial offerings. (Lev. 1-7)

1. Burnt Offering 4. Sin Offering

2. Grain Offering 5. Guilt Offering

3. Fellowship Offering

B. When an animal was sacrificed as a part of the offering, the blood and fat was reserved for God.

1. The Fat was to be completely burned on the altar and the smoke would rise as a sweet aroma to God (Lev. 17:6).

2. The Blood was special because God said that the “life” of the animal was in the blood. (Lev. 17:11).

a. By saying that the “life” of the animal was in the blood, God meant that blood was an essential element to maintaining viability on the physical side.

b. Without blood, there is no life.

3. Since the blood was the fluid of life, God gave it to the Israelites to make atonement to God for their sins.

a. God in his holiness and righteousness is too pure to look upon and tolerate sin, however to appease his anger and as an act of mercy, God chose to accept the life of the animal in place of the life of the human.

b. So as the animal’s life was poured out and sprinkled or smeared on the horns of the altar, God accepted it as atonement for sin.

c. Because of the blood’s efficacy (i.e., what it was able to accomplish) the Israelites were prohibited from eating it.

C. through the shedding of the animal’s blood, the offeror was viewed as being in right standing with God on a temporary basis.

1. Although the animal’s blood could atone for sin once, it could not complete take away sin and its stain. (Heb. 10:4)

II. The Blood of Jesus

A. Where the blood of bulls, sheep and goats was only effective for the temporary cleansing and atonement for sin, the blood of Jesus not only atoned for sin, cleansed of sin and destroyed sin bringing eternal life to all who believe.

B. Atones for Sin Once for All (Heb. 9:12-14)

1. an animal sacrifice had to be without defect--perfect.

2. Jesus was the only person to live a life that was perfectly obedient to God.

a. His life was so well-lived that god said, “This is my son in whom I’m well pleased”

b. He didn’t yield to Satan’s temptations

c. He was perfect

3. Atonement: deals with overcoming sin and the estrangement between God and man that it causes. The ultimate result of atonement is that God and humanity are reconciled.

Q: Now, if the blood of goats and bulls could bring temporary atonement, how much atonement can the blood of Jesus, the perfect son of God, bring?

--The blood of Jesus is so potent that the believer only needs to accept Jesus one time and they are saved for eternity.

C. Jesus’ Blood Cleanses (Hebrews 9:14)

1. OT: Blood accomplished “ceremonial cleansing” and sanctification. By sprinkling blood on the altar, the offeror was deemed as clean—on the outside.

2. Jesus’ Blood as the miraculous ability to make you clean—on the inside

a. The blood of Jesus cleanses our conscience against those acts that lead to death.

b. Sin leaves a stain in our lives (e.g., guilt, heartache, sorrow, shame)

c. Also, sin leaves a stain in our conscience that subtly feeds the flesh w/temptations to engage in acts that are contrary to god and harmful to us.

d. After it atones, Jesus blood cleanses the conscience so that sin is viewed in the right perspective—bringing death, not life.

3. Isaiah 1:18: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Only the blood of Jesus can put red on red and get Snow White!!

D. Makes Eternal Life Sure for those who believe (Heb.9:11-12)