In This Issue:
The Blood
Our Substitute
Nothing, but the Blood
Volume: 973 September 9, 2024
Theme: The Blood
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One word mentioned or alluded to over 378 times in the Bible is “blood.” Its usage indicates:
- it is essential for life (Lev. 17:11, 14),
- that man’s blood should not unnecessarily be shed (Ex. 20:13, Gen. 9:6),
- “Innocent” blood should not be spilled. Those that do so will be accountable (Prov. 6:17, Lev. 20:27, II Sam. 4:11),
- that some in the Old Testament were given the responsibility to revenge the blood of those murdered (Num. 35:19, 21, Jos. 20:5),
- and another very important usage. That important usage of “blood” was its application toward man’s sins.
When Adam and Eve first sinned, innocent animals had to have their blood shed so that the two original sinners would have their sins “covered”. God killed animals that had done nothing wrong so that the first man and woman’s nakedness would be covered. Innocent blood was shed to cover their sins.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Gen. 3:21
Shortly afterward, frequent sacrifices to the Lord included other animals being killed, usually cattle and sheep, for the “covering” of sin. When on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses received God’s instructions on sacrificing the lives of animals to be incorporated in worshipping God (Ex. 29:12, 16). It was always innocent blood that was necessary to “cover” the iniquities of men. That was God’s plan after sin was first committed.
However, those “payments” for man’s sins were not permanent. They had to be repeated over and over again. The blood of the sacrificed animal was not sufficient to cover any of man’s sins indefinitely, and it was not long until man completely stopped offering the proper sacrifices God required.
Man’s treatment of sacrifices was no surprise to God. He knew from the beginning that there was no work man could ever do to pay for His sins: “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)
God then allowed the one sacrifice that would redeem (Col. 1:14) all man’s sins. This perfect, innocent offering also was not guilty of doing anything wrong. Like the earlier Old Testament sacrifice, this Sacrifice’s blood was also spilled.
That offering, however, was not sacrificed by ordained men of God, as was done in the Old Testament, and the blood was not put on an altar. That blood offering dripped down the arms of a “Man” that was nailed to a cruel Roman’s wooden cross over 2,000 years ago. The blood of that sacrifice was willingly offered by God’s only son, Jesus, and it was sufficient to be given only once. The sacrifice never had to be repeated as it covered all man’s sins from the time of Jesus’ offering until the time the rapture occurs. Jesus is the only worthy Lamb of God whose blood can pay for all man’s sins.
One of the main purposes of the Bible is to show the importance of the Saviour’s blood. The Old Testament continually pointed to it. However, there was a time God made a new covenant (testament) with man. Jesus became the new agreement God made with mankind.
“And he [Jesus] said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” Mark 14:24 Also: Mt. 26:28 & Luke 22:20.
Man’s sinful nature very clearly shows that he cannot stop sinning. He has continued to demonstrate this from his first appearance on Earth. Being “good” is impossible because all people are sinners (Rom. 3:23, 5:12), and his good deeds will not eliminate his past sins. This also includes “religious” activities, good intentions, and anything else man may think will pay for his sins which are against God Himself. God has made it clear that there is nothing man can do to pay for his sins. That is why He had to give the only sufficient sacrifice — His Son’s blood.
Has there ever been a time in your life that you have admitted your sinnership to the Father, believed that Jesus’ sacrifice was payment for all your sins, and asked Jesus to be your Saviour? If not, please do so today!
“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.” Romans 10:9
“One might better try to sail the Atlantic in a paper boat than try to get to Heaven on good works.” — C. H. Spurgeon
Our Substitute
Edited from an Article by C. H. Spurgeon
In Prussia, a law exempted the only son of a widow from going to war. It was said that the country was so in need of recruits that the law was, for a time, rescinded, and a widow’s only sson was taken. A woman came forward saying, “Ay, take him. My country is dearer to me even than he is.”
She put him forward and said, “Go forth, my son, to die if it be necessary. I give thee up. I give thee willingly.”
You could see the red eyes of the widow. She had wiped it dry and wept in secret. If we were to steal behind the door when her son was gone and saw her pouring out whole floods of sorrow, we would be able to know how great her love for her country would have been that she was able to turn him over.
Beloved, we never would know Christ’s love in all its heights and depths if He had not died for us. We also would not know the Father’s deep affection for us if He had not given his only Son to die for us. What boundless love!
To be almost saved is to be totally lost! — Author Unknown
Nothing but the Blood
Words from a Hymn by Robert Lowry, 1876
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain: Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing, this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain.
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain.
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain.
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain.
“Jesus paid a debt He didn’t owe, so to Heaven I may go.” — Author Unknown