The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Ephesians 1:7-8,
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
In the past I have heard it said that any religion that preoccupies itself with blood is a disgusting religion. "I don't want to have anything to do with your interpretation of a bloody God!" Some folks simply find it offensive to think in terms of someone as wonderful a person as Jesus Christ having to "spill his blood" to satisfy his Father God for the sins of others. "How could a loving God demand such a thing?!" They find the notion of it repugnant.
Here in his letter, Paul tells his Ephesian readers that our redemption is "through his [Jesus Christ's] blood". The New Testament is full of references to the blood of Jesus Christ as that which is required to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus himself raised the cup of wine at the last supper with his disciples and said, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:27b-28.
The writer of Hebrews says, "When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:11-14. Later in the chapter, reviewing what Moses said in the law, he makes the comment, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22.
"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." What a statement! For those who find the requirement of blood by God for sin offensive, it is a reminder of the offensiveness of sin to God. As God told Adam, "You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Genesis 2:17. The judgment of God is horrific! For those with "delicate sensitivities" who may find the blood of Jesus Christ offensive, be aware that for your own sins, that which is offensive to God, payment will be made. Jesus Christ will make that payment if we embrace him in faith... otherwise we will pay for it ourselves, on our own, but payment will be made!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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