Why the Blood?
Life is in the blood. Leviticus 17:11 says, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood." While we were made in the image of God, man chose to sin, thus contaminating the perfect beings were were intended to be. As a result of sin, the entire human race became wicked and self-serving. To make atonement for sin, the blood sacrifice of some animal such as a goat or lamb was required.
The ritual of blood sacrifice has been, and in many cases is still, practiced by various religions including witchcraft and the occult. For those who believe, Jesus' willingness to give himself as a blood sacrifice on the cross became our complete atonement for sin. Redemption and salvation are freely given through the grace and mercy of a Holy Savior.
Colossians 2:12-15New King James Version (NKJV)
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Christ died on the cross for us! In doing so, Christ overcame sin and Satan.
1 John 3:8New King James Version (NKJV)
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
After the resurrection of Christ, He told his disciple John, "I am the Alpha an Omega, the first and last....I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:11, 18).
As a result of Christ's victory over hell and death, all believers in Him can plead the blood (state with proper legal authority) as a means of exercising their right to spiritual protection from Satan and demons, spiritual blessings, and eternal life. This single fact about Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross is one of the most important things for all believers to understand. Because there is tremendous power resulting from authority under the blood of Christ,those who do not believe can be immediately repulsed or offended. In fact, the mere mention of the Jesus' name can enrage some people to commit acts of violence against believers. Today, more than any time in history, there is an ever-increasing intolerance toward believers in Christ. If you don't believe it turn on your TV and watch the news. Nevertheless, the Bible forewarns Christians that increased persecution for His sake is coming.
Mark 13: 9-13
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Take heart and resist any temptation toward fear because the victory belongs to Christ - He alone holds the keys to hell and death!
The ritual of blood sacrifice has been, and in many cases is still, practiced by various religions including witchcraft and the occult. For those who believe, Jesus' willingness to give himself as a blood sacrifice on the cross became our complete atonement for sin. Redemption and salvation are freely given through the grace and mercy of a Holy Savior.
Colossians 2:12-15New King James Version (NKJV)
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Christ died on the cross for us! In doing so, Christ overcame sin and Satan.
1 John 3:8New King James Version (NKJV)
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
After the resurrection of Christ, He told his disciple John, "I am the Alpha an Omega, the first and last....I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:11, 18).
As a result of Christ's victory over hell and death, all believers in Him can plead the blood (state with proper legal authority) as a means of exercising their right to spiritual protection from Satan and demons, spiritual blessings, and eternal life. This single fact about Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross is one of the most important things for all believers to understand. Because there is tremendous power resulting from authority under the blood of Christ,those who do not believe can be immediately repulsed or offended. In fact, the mere mention of the Jesus' name can enrage some people to commit acts of violence against believers. Today, more than any time in history, there is an ever-increasing intolerance toward believers in Christ. If you don't believe it turn on your TV and watch the news. Nevertheless, the Bible forewarns Christians that increased persecution for His sake is coming.
Mark 13: 9-13
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Take heart and resist any temptation toward fear because the victory belongs to Christ - He alone holds the keys to hell and death!