What’s In The Blood?
This is a question that has several meanings. From a medical standpoint it’s vital to know that all the good elements are in balance, and that the evil elements are being controlled. From a legal standpoint it may be important to know the quantity of such elements as alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, etc., etc. From a nationalistic standpoint someone might say, “those traits are due to Irish blood” (or Cuban, Russian, Asian, etc.)
Possibly the most interesting (and famous) man ever on this planet was Jesus Christ. So just what was in His blood? The main element in His blood from a theological point of view is ACCESS TO GOD. And theologians have wrestled with Atonement as the key teaching of the Book. It is defined as the covering over of sin, the reconciliation between God and man. “Repugnant though it may be . . . the fact remains that the Bible is a blood drenched Book. From the hour God made coats of animal skins for fallen Adam & Eve, down to the millennial day, blood is seen as the purchase price of access to God.” Herbert Lockyer. In the garden we see animal blood; shed to provide those skins to cover Adam & Eve after the fall. Animal blood sacrifices were done at the time of Moses to show the atonement for early Israelites. They looked forward in time to the perfect Lamb of God – Jesus Christ, because “it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4
Now, if it is so important that we all access/connect with God by the blood of that one Man Jesus, how can it have the power to do this for all mankind? Simple – that blood of Christ was the blood of Deity – or VERY royal blood. “Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.” Revelation 5:9 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13 (Of course, this essay only begins to touch the subject of Atonement.)
Well, I had a glimpse of that atoning blood. On the evening of my renewal in Christ experience (20 Feb ’72), I retired for the evening feeling the spiritual “high”. Then a “downer” memory came up. Several years earlier another 13-year-old kid & myself had vandalized a small Baptist church. This memory just surfaced, & I felt terrible about it. I called the missionary even though it was really late & expressed my feelings to him. He said, “just, go back to bed & ‘plead the blood of Jesus’ over this memory.” I didn’t kneel – just laid in the bed & prayed quietly. Out of nowhere, that crimson blood came down in small & large droplets for a long while – probably till I fell asleep. It was some kind of vision I think, but a beautiful & mysterious experience. The next AM I had no worries about the bad memory, but I did notice my cigarette habit was GONE, and my conscience was sensitive like never before. That experience was 42 years ago. If anyone wants to know why I write these gospel-notes, that “blood” event is probably much of the reason.
So, “Access to God, the most sublime of privileges, has been purchased at a great price, the blood of Christ.” Myer Pearlman. Have YOU reached out in faith to claim your share of that Access? “Behold, I stand at the door and Knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 Choose Jesus, He is alive. And His blood is still working to save. See also link 7 “I Saw The King”.
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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