What is the meaning of the blood of Christ?

Response

The term “blood of Christ” appears multiple times in the New Testament and signifies Jesus’ sacrificial death and complete atoning work on our behalf. Mentions of the Savior’s blood acknowledge not only His literal bleeding on the cross but more importantly His bleeding and dying for sinners. The blood of Christ possesses the ability to atone for countless sins committed by innumerable individuals over time, and all who place their faith in that blood will find salvation.

The concept of the blood of Christ as the means of atonement for sin originates from the Mosaic Law. Annually, the priest was required to offer the blood of animals on the temple altar for the people’s sins. “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” «And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. », (Hebrews 9:22). However, this blood offering had limited effectiveness, necessitating repeated offerings. It foreshadowed the singular sacrifice Jesus made on the cross «who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. », (Hebrews 7:27). Following this ultimate sacrifice, there was no longer a need for the blood of bulls and goats.

The blood of Christ forms the foundation of the New Covenant. The evening before His crucifixion, Jesus presented a cup of wine to His disciples, declaring, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” «Likewise also the cup after supper

, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” , (Luke 22:20). The pouring of the wine in the cup symbolized the blood of Christ, which would be poured out for all who would ever believe in Him. When He shed His blood on the cross, He did away with the Old Covenant requirement for the continual sacrifices of animals. Their blood was not sufficient to cover the sins of the people, except on a temporary basis, because sin against a holy and infinite God requires a holy and infinite sacrifice. “But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” “But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.”, (Hebrews 10:3). While the blood of bulls and goats was a “reminder” of sin, “the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”, (1 Peter 1:19) paid in full the debt of sin we owe to God, and we need no further sacrifices for sin. Jesus said, “It is finished” as He was dying, and He meant just that—the entire work of redemption was completed forever, “having obtained eternal redemption” for us “neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”, (Hebrews 9:12).

Not only does the blood of Christ redeem believers from sin and eternal punishment, but “His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God” “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without

Is it not a great spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? », (Hebrews 9:14 NCV). This indicates that we are now liberated from the need to offer sacrifices that are “useless” for salvation. We are also liberated from depending on worthless and unproductive works of the flesh to satisfy God. Through the redemption by the blood of Christ, we are transformed into new creations in Christ «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17), and by His blood, we are delivered from sin to serve the living God, to glorify Him, and to enjoy Him forever.