The Blood of the Lamb
The blood of Jesus is extremely important: “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1).
Jesus shed his blood. Pilate had Jesus scourged (Matt. 27:26; Mk. 15:15). Scourging was absolutely a horrible experience. These floggings lasted at least 39 lashes, but they were often longer than that. The soldiers used leather straps with metal balls woven into them. When one was flogged, he was stripped of his clothing and bound to a post. These beatings went from the shoulders to the back to the buttocks to the back of the legs. These beatings often left muscle and bone exposed. Without a doubt, Jesus lost much blood through his flogging.
When a soldier pierced Jesus’ side, blood and water flowed out (Jn. 19:34).
This evening we want to examine what Jesus’ blood does.
Forgives Sin
Sin is man’s greatest problem.
- There is no one who does not sin.
- “There is none who does good, No, not one” (Ps. 14:3).
- “There is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin” (Eccl. 7:20).
- Because man sins, he stands alienated from God.
- “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear” (Ps. 66:18).
- “You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities” (Is. 64:7).
Because man sins, he stands condemned and needs a Savior.
Jesus’ blood removes sin. “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Mt. 26:28). “Remission” refers to a pardon, cancellation of a debt. Jesus blood was shed to pardon the sinner. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7). Jesus “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Rev. 1:5). The great multitude in Revelation had “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14).
Jesus had to give his blood–there wasn’t another way for man to be saved. “Without shedding of blood, there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Heb. 10:4).
Have you been in contact with Jesus’ blood? Do you have the remission of sins?
Brings the New Testament
The old covenant was a heavy burden to bear. Peter referred to the Old Testament as a yoke “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10). Paul spoke of the law as being “contrary to us” (Col. 2:14). The Old Testament contained many instructions, and one could not keep it perfectly.
Jesus’ blood abolished the old law. “This is My blood of the new covenant” (Mt. 26:28). “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (1 Cor. 11:25).
Because Jesus shed his blood, we are no longer bound by the Old Testament. There is no longer a need for animal sacrifices, for Jesus sacrificed himself. We no longer need circumcision, for baptism serves as a spiritual circumcision (Col. 2:11-12).
Redeems
Jesus redeemed the church with his blood. “Shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). We were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14). “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).
Redemption refers to deliverance by payment of a price. The idea in redemption is that God had to pay a heavy price to save man. That costly price was the blood of his Son.
Justifies
Jesus’ blood justifies sinners: “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom. 5:9). Justification refers to the process by which God declares sinners right before him. Because of the work of Jesus, sinners can stand right before God.
Sanctifies
The New Testament teaches that Jesus’ blood sanctifies sinners. The author of Hebrews refers to Jesus’ blood as “the blood of the covenant by which [we were] sanctified (Heb. 10:29). “Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (Heb. 13:12). Sanctification refers to the act by which God separates the believer from sin and dedicates him to God’s own righteousness. We are made holy by the blood of Jesus.
Allows Access to God
“Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). We can go to God’s throne with boldness because we have been washed in Jesus’ blood.
Conclusion
In order to have eternal life, we must drink Jesus’ blood (Jn. 6:53-56). This morning, we took the Lord’s Supper during which we drank Jesus’ blood. Did you drink his blood? Do you need to be washed in the blood?
This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Alum Creek church of Christ in Alum Creek, West Virginia.