What is the significance of the blood of Christ?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The blood of Christ refers to Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, where He shed His blood to pay the penalty for our sins. In the Old Testament, blood sacrifices like the Passover lamb and the Day of Atonement foreshadowed Christ’s ultimate offering (Exodus 12; Leviticus 16; Isaiah 53:5-6). Hebrews 9-10 explains that while animal sacrifices could only cover sin temporarily, Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice truly removes sin and grants believers direct access to God (Hebrews 10:19-21). Through His blood, we are redeemed, forgiven, justified, and cleansed (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 5:9; 1 John 1:7). Today, the blood of Christ stands as the foundation of salvation for all who turn to Him in repentance and faith.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The blood of Christ is not specifically mentioned in the Old Testament. It is something we only find out about in the New Testament. However, concepts and passages in the Old Testament take on a fuller meaning in light of New Testament revelation. For example, in Exodus 12 (The Passover Lamb) the tenth plague that God brought upon Egypt was the death of the first born. However, a home could be protected from the death angel if it bore the blood of a slaughtered lamb on the doorposts and lintel. When the death angel saw the blood, he would pass over that house and everyone inside would be safe.
• On the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), sacrifices would be made for the sins of the people. While there are a number of events on that day, one involved slaughtering a ram, sprinkling its blood and offering it up as a burnt offering. This would atone for (cover) the sins of the people. In addition to this day, there are many bloody sacrifices prescribed in the Law that were required to atone for various offences.
• The servant of the Lord is described as being punished for the sins of the people in a way that would involve shedding blood: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The bloody sacrifices of the Old Testament could never take away sins but rather point to Jesus’ perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that takes away sin. Hebrews 9—10 is the most extensive discussion on the blood of Christ in the New Testament. This passage compares and contrasts the sacrifice of Christ with the Old Testament sacrifices. In the Old Testament, the priest would first have to offer a blood sacrifice for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. This had to be done repeatedly, showing that the blood of animals could never finally remove sin.
• However Christ came as the ultimate sacrifice. Since He had no sin, He could offer his own blood for the sins of the people in a once-for-all sacrifice. Those who have been cleansed by the blood of Christ have full access to God in a way that was never imagined by Israel in the Old Testament (Hebrews 10:19-21).
• Ephesians 1:7 says believers have been redeemed by his blood and forgiven.
• Gentiles who were separated from God are now “brought near” by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
• First Peter 1:18-19 tells us that we are ransomed by the blood of Christ.
• First John 1:7 says that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
• Romans 5:9 says we have been declared righteous (justified) by his blood. In other words, those who trust in Jesus have had their sins removed and can stand before God as if they had not sinned.
• Revelation 1:5-6 refers to Jesus as the one who freed us from our sins by his blood.
• Other concepts in the New Testament are closely associated with the blood of Christ. His sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26), His death (Romans 5:10), His crucifixion (Galatians 2:20), the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18), and the atonement (Romans 3:25) are often used interchangeably with references to His blood. Each of these emphasizes the same truth: Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of those who put their faith in Him (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:7).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

All of us have sinned against a holy God. We have broken His laws and rebelled against Him. For this we deserve punishment. However, God made a way of salvation so sin could be punished and, at the same time, the sinner could be saved. Jesus took the punishment for our sins when He died—shed His blood--on the cross as our substitute. Just as the Old Testament sacrifices were offered for the sins of Israel, Jesus shed His blood for the sins of the world. The Old Testament sacrifices, however, could never take away sins. As a result, they had to be repeated over and over. Jesus, on the other hand, offered Himself, His own blood, to pay the penalty for the sins of all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus’ blood was shed as a once-for-all sacrifice to pay the penalty for sin and provide forgiveness for those who repent and believe.
• Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed Christ’s perfect offering that truly removes sin.
• Through the blood of Christ, believers are redeemed, justified, cleansed, and brought near to God.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that Jesus shed His blood for your sins impact the way you view your relationship with God today?
• Where are you tempted to rely on your own efforts instead of trusting fully in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice?
• What does it mean for you personally to be forgiven, cleansed, and brought near to God through the blood of Christ?

ENGAGE

• How do Old Testament sacrifices help us understand the depth and purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?
• Why is it significant that Christ’s blood provides a once-for-all atonement rather than a repeated ritual?
• How can we help each other live in the freedom, forgiveness, and closeness to God that Christ’s blood makes possible?