Well, I just thought I would share the article I am putting in tomorrow's church bulletin. As I was studying this particular topic and reading each verse and many other verses that I didn't add because of lack of space, I was overcome with awe and excitement. Awe because of the sacrifice He made for us, and excitement that because of this sacrifice we have such a great hope, and knowledge that victory is ours!
""and without shedding of blood is no remission."
[align=center] [/align] Hebrews 9:22b
There is a blood line that stretches throughout the entire breadth of inspired scripture. From outside the gates of Eden in Genesis 4 all the way through to Revelations, the Bible is filled with the importance of the blood with regard to salvation.
When God clothed Adam and Eve after they had sinned in Genesis 3, it was in the skin of an animal whose blood had been shed. When Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice to God in Genesis 4, it was the sacrifice of a lamb whose blood had been shed. When Isaac was about to die on Mt. Moriah in Genesis 22, it was the blood of a substitute ram that saved his life. When the death angel passed over Egypt in Exodus 11, it was the sprinkled blood over the doorposts that saved the Israelites. Regardless of whether it was the consecration of a priest, the birth of a son, the deepest penitence due to sin, or the highest religious festival, the way to fellowship with God in the Old Testament, was through the shedding of blood. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11) [/i]
[/i]What the Old Testament portrays through picture and figures, the New Testament presents in person and fact. One of these figures is that of the Passover Lamb, the young lamb sacrificed in place of the family"s firstborn, as a type of the person and work of Jesus. Right at the beginning of Jesus" ministry, John the Baptist prophetically announced that Jesus was "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).[/i] Furthermore, Paul wrote that "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1Cor. 5:7). Finally, Peter identified Jesus as the "lamb without blemish and without spot" (1Pet. 1:19). [/i]All these New Testament references allude to the Passover lamb.
The Passover lamb had to be (1) without blemish, (2) male, and (3) young. (4) It had to be examined (four days from the selection to the sacrifice) and (5) it had to be slain in public. (6) None if its bones were to be broken. Finally (7) it"s blood on the Israelites" doorposts was a sign that God should pass over and not destroy that family"s firstborn (see Ex. 12:3-13, 46; Num. 9:12). In each particular, Jesus was the fulfillment of this divinely ordained type. Jesus was (1) sinless and perfect. In His humanity, He was both (2) a male and (3) somewhat young when He was slain. (4) He lived a meticulously examined life. (5) He died publicly, and despite the brutality of His death, (6) none of His bones were broken (John 19:36). Finally (7) Jesus" blood is the sign of Jesus" death. In all respects, Jesus fulfilled the divinely ordained prophetic picture. He is our Passover Lamb and through Jesus" death, we are saved from the coming judgment.
Just as Leviticus 17:11 shows us that "it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul", application of the blood of Christ to lost souls is crucial to our salvation. The blood of Christ reconciles or brings souls "nigh" to God (Col. 1:20-22; Eph. 2:13). With the blood of Jesus the church was purchased (Acts 20:28) and individually, Christians are washed from their sins (Rev. 1:5). Redemption or justification occurs as a result of Jesus" blood (Rev. 5:9; Rom. 5:9). By His blood we are overcomers (Rev. 12:11) and not only that, but we now have the privilege to "enter into the holiest" with boldness and full assurance of faith! (Heb 10:19-22). How awesome it is to know that we at one time were without hope, lost in our sins, but Christ with His blood has made a way for us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8).
But even more awesome is to know that His death was not the last chapter. At the cross He suffered for the sins of the world but three days later came a glorious victory when He was resurrected from the dead and defeated the power of sin and death! The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:17 that "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." [/i]But praise be to our Lord and Saviour, He is risen, and because He is risen, we too shall one day put on incorruption! (Read 1 Cor. 15)
Thank you Lord, for your sacrifice and victory!
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"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:17 that "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." [/i]But praise be to our Lord and Saviour, He is risen, and because He is risen, we too shall one day put on incorruption! (Read 1 Cor. 15)
Thank you Lord, for your sacrifice and victory!
Amen, sis Lizzie!
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
The Blood of Christ
