The Blood of the Lamb -1 Peter
1:18-19
Why blood? Why all this talk about the blood of Christ?
For answers, let’s turn to the very best source—the Bible.
Peter explained, “knowing that you were not redeemed with
corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your aimless conduct received by
tradition from your fathers, (v. 19) but with the precious blood of Christ, as
of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NKJV).
Peter implies that his readers knew that their redemption did
not come from any material wealth, good conduct, or through any kind of
tradition passed down from forefathers.
This apostle wants to make it clear that salvation comes through
the precious blood of Jesus, stating that Jesus was the once for all
sacrificial lamb. Jews of that era were knowledgeable of the significance of
the shedding of the blood of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Even the
Gentiles of the day were somewhat familiar with these Jewish practices.
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About 1400 years prior to Peter’s writing God gave Moses
instructions on the atonement of the sins of the people through the sacrificial
shedding of the blood of an unblemished lamb. Step-by-step instructions are
recorded in Leviticus 14.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it
to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood
that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11 NKJV). This shedding
of the blood of lambs and other animals was a foreshadowing of the crucifixion
death and shed blood of Jesus.
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Cross at Jamestown, VA
Photo by Connie
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Therefore, the system set up by God in the Old Testament stated
that those who offered and were covered by the blood sacrifice were
released—set free—from the consequences of their sin. But this was only
temporary and needed to be repeated periodically.
Jesus was without sin—that is without spot or blemish. When His
life’s blood was shed, He made atonement for all the sins of all Mankind once
for all. His dying words proclaimed that fact: “It is finished”
(John 19:30). Each person then has the option to accept or reject His
sacrifice.
The writer of Hebrews goes into detail to explain Jesus’ atoning
sacrifice: “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things
that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with
hands, that is, not of the creation) he entered once for all into the holy
places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own
blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For it the blood of goats and
bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer,
sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of
Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God,
purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is
the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the
promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from
the transgressions committed under the first covenant. ... Indeed, under the
law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood
there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:11-15 ESV).
As we enter into this season of Easter, let us be mindful
of the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus—the Lamb that was slain on
behalf of sinners like you and me. I’m thankful for and rejoice in many
things—especially family, freedom, home, and such. But the number one thing I’m
thankful for and rejoice in is the blood of Jesus which was shed for me. Because
of His atoning sacrifice my sins are washed away. My debt to God has been
canceled out; I am in His own family for all eternity; and my name is written
in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
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Besides that, my precious loved ones, who I’m so thankful for,
also have the privilege of being in God’s family and we can all be together
with Jesus in Heaven. All our tears will be wiped away. There‘ll be no hurt, no
sorrow, no evil of any kind. Like my friend used to sing, “There‘ll be no
band-aides in Heaven—no emergency medical care ...” *
Are you covered by the blood of the Lamb? We each have the
choice to accept and receive Him (Jesus) or reject and deny Him.
Your comments are welcome.
*If you wish, you can hear the song, “No Band-Aids in Heaven,” on You-Tube. It’s an adorable child’s song!
©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford
