What is the Meaning and Importance of the Blood of Christ? How is the Blood of Christ Connected to the Old Testament Prophecies?
Blood is mentioned throughout the Bible, but what does the blood of Christ mean to us? “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
“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 9:14)
Rahab, the woman mentioned in this part of the Bible, was a prostitute in the city of Jericho. When the Israelites came to conquer the land, her city and she herself were doomed to destruction. However, she was saved, and her life was changed simply by tying a scarlet cord in her window.
This cord symbolized the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and pointed to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Indeed, the entire Bible is about Jesus Christ and His redeeming blood, and you will find this scarlet thread throughout God’s Word.
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The Prophecy of the Blood of Jesus Christ
From the beginning of human history, this has been revealed. When Adam and Eve sinned, God shed innocent blood to make clothing from animal skins (Genesis 3:21). This was a picture of the righteousness that we received when the Lord Jesus Christ died for us.
In Genesis 4, we read that Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. They instinctively wanted to worship God. Cain offered the fruit of the ground. Abel, however, understood that God required blood, so he brought a lamb. God accepted Abel’s lamb’s blood but did not accept Cain’s offering. Why? Because “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).
And God told Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited son Isaac (Genesis 22). Just before Abraham plunged the knife into his trembling son’s heart, an angel stopped him. Abraham saw a ram caught in a thicket. Isaac was set free, but the blood of an innocent animal was shed.
Later, God wanted to save His people from slavery in Egypt. On the night of the Passover, God instructed every household to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes. God said in Exodus 12:13, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”
In the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, thousands upon thousands of sheep, cattle, and doves were slain, and their blood was shed as a sacrifice for sin. Finally, the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross. His death fulfilled all prophecies and promises. Revelation 13:8 declares that He was slain before the foundation of the world. He came to die; He planned to die; He lived to die; and He was born to die. As we have seen, the blood of Jesus Christ is present throughout the Bible. What does the blood of Jesus mean to us today?
The Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ
His blood redeems us. There was a price against us that we could not pay, but the blood of Jesus Christ redeems us. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
His blood brings us into fellowship with God. According to Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Without the blood of Christ, man is far from God.
His blood makes peace with God. Man is naturally at war with God, and we can only come to God on His peace terms—the blood atonement. The Bible says in Colossians 1:20, “And through him to reconcile to himself all things… by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
His blood cleanses. It not only removes the punishment of sin, but it also removes the pollution of sin. No matter what sin you have committed, “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
His blood gives power over Satan. It is the blood that Satan fears. Revelation 12:11 says, “They triumphed over him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb…” Satan does not want you to know about the blood. He hates it!
Before this planet was ever hurled into space, God in His heart decided to send His Son to die on the cross. How amazing it is to trace the scarlet thread of the blood of Christ throughout the Bible! How much more amazing it is to experience its redemption personally. We praise God for the blood of His Lamb!
Read More : What is the Exact Date of Jesus Christ’s Birth According to the Bible?
The Body and Blood of Christ
Matthew chapter 26 includes one of the most famous events in human history and certainly the most famous meal ever eaten—the Last Supper. When the disciples were sitting together, Jesus said, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). Then he gave thanks, handed them the cup, 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 26:27-28).
Jesus, as He often did, was speaking symbolically. To suggest that He was speaking literally here would not be consistent with the verbal images He often used. After all, Jesus said He was the Bread of Life. And did He not say that He is the Door? So, do we insist that Christ is literally a loaf of bread or a door? Of course not. And we should not insist that the contents of the bread and cup are the body and blood of Christ.
There is no evidence to show that a supernatural process transforms the contents of the cup into the blood of Jesus Christ and the bread into His flesh. Therefore, as we participate in Communion, we do not want to overly mystify what it represents. We do not want to think of the bread as flesh and the cup as containing blood. On the other hand, we do not want to trivialize Communion by thinking it is meaningless. Clearly, the Bible warns us about participating in Communion without recognizing its significance (see 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).
The bread and cup are not sacred in themselves. But they represent something very sacred. Therefore, we come to the Lord’s Table with great reverence and humility, knowing that it is a symbol of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.
Bible Verses About the Blood of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 9:22 – In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Revelation 12:11 – They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Romans 5:9 – Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
Revelation 1:5 – And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.
Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Acts 20:28 – Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
1 Peter 1:18-19 – For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
