“BLOOD!”

Hebrews 9:18-22.                                   (ESV)

“18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without BLOOD.

19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took THE “BLOOD” of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,

20 saying, "This is THE “BLOOD” of the covenant that GOD commanded for you."

21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF “BLOOD” there is no forgiveness of sins.”

When mankind first sinned in the garden of Eden, GOD had to give them clothing made from the skins of animals to cover their sin.  Now I am no animal psychiatrist, but I would suggest that these animals had NO say as to whether their lives would be spared because of the sin of man?  When the Children of Israel were held captive in Egypt and ALMIGHTY GOD told Moses that deliverance was coming, the Israelites were COMMANDED to sprinkle BLOOD over the entry of their house so the death angel would PASSOVER their house.  

It should not surprise us then that “BLOOD” is REQUIRED to forgive sin?  We don’t have to understand or explain, just accept it and Believe it!  Mankind cannot understand nor explain why a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS GOD would send HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON as the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, never to be improved upon.  HIS SACRIFICIAL work was completed at Calvary.  

Then why do I try to offer my “good deeds” as a sacrifice when JESUS PAID IT ALL?  My righteousness is but “filthy rags” according to Isaiah 64:6 and we can do nothing to merit eternal life.  However, we are to DAILY SACRIFICE OUR WANTS and WISHES to HIM and accept HIS Plan for us.  

Just like the animals sacrificed for the sins of Adam and Eve, most of the time I don’t SACRIFICE willingly!  JESUS left HIS position in Heaven WILLINGLY to live the life of a carpenter’s helper, die a brutal death on Calvary, and defeat death, hell, and the grave for ALL MANKIND!  No longer do we depend on the “BLOOD” of goats and lambs, but we have FAITH IN THE “BLOOD” OF JESUS!!!