Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

WITHOUT BLOOD

This entry was posted on 11-30-2009 and is filed under INDISPENSABLE THINGS.

There are certain things in life that we simply cannot get along without. Among them would be the air we breathe, food to eat, and shelter from the elements. But in the spiritual realm there are also some indispensable things. The first of those we will discuss this week is the blood of Christ.

"And according to the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission" (Heb. 9:22 NKJV). Rivers of blood flowed in the Old Testament because the the law's request for sacrifices and offerings (v. 19) And nearly everything in the system of law was sprinkled with blood for sanctification - the tabernacle and everything in it (v. 21). Then Jesus came and shed His blood on the cross, for the forgiveness of our sins and putting an end to the blood sacrifice of animals once for all. He was the "better sacrifice" (v. 23). "...once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself...Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many..." (vs. 26, 28).

There are at least two occasions where the believer is reminded of the blood Jesus shed on the cross. One is at baptism where "we were buried with Him through baptism into death" (Rom. 6: 4). The other is at communion when we remember the words of institution: "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. 11:25). The death, burial and resurrection of Christ is clearly seen in baptism. Each time we drink the fruit of the vine we are also reminded of the blood of Christ. Yes, the blood of Christ is number one on the list of "Indispensable Things." Where would we be if Jesus had not shed His blood "once for all?"

Prayer: Father, how grateful we are that in Your divine plan you included the shedding of blood. Through Christ, the Atoning Sacrifice, we pray.