Christian love, in its purest form known as Agape, is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It embodies God’s unconditional love for humanity and serves as a guiding principle for how we should love one another. This love is powerfully demonstrated through the blood of Jesus, which offers protection, forgiveness, and abundant blessings. This sermon explores the profound significance of the blood of Jesus, drawing insights from biblical stories and teachings.
The Significance of Blood in Scripture
The concept of blood as a means of atonement and cleansing is woven throughout the Bible. In Matthew 26, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, stating, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” This act highlights the vital role of Jesus’s sacrifice in forgiving our sins.
The Old Testament foreshadowed this truth. When Adam and Eve sinned, God covered them with coats of skin, symbolizing the first blood sacrifice—an innocent lamb offered for the guilty. This act established the principle that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Subsequent animal sacrifices served as a temporary covering, a credit system pointing towards the ultimate payment made by Jesus on the cross.
Communion: A Celebration of Forgiveness
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is not a time to dwell on our sins but rather a joyous celebration of their remission. It is eucharistic, meaning “giving thanks,” reflecting the attitude of Jesus as he instituted this sacred ordinance. We partake of the Communion, remembering the life and health found in Jesus’s body and the forgiveness purchased by his blood.
The Voice of the Blood
In Genesis 4, we encounter the story of Cain and Abel. Cain’s rejection of God’s prescribed way of sacrifice, symbolized by the blood offering, led to his act of murder. God then declared, “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” This is the first mention of blood in the Bible, emphasizing its spiritual significance. Blood has a voice, crying out for justice.
Hebrews 12 contrasts the blood of Abel, which cried out for vengeance, with the blood of Jesus, which speaks better things. Jesus’s blood cries out for mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, peace, freedom, and salvation. It calls upon God to shower blessings upon us, and God, moved by the sacrifice of his Son, answers.
The Reconciling Power of the Blood
Colossians 1:20 states that Jesus reconciled all things to himself through the blood of his cross, “whether things on earth or things in heaven.” This passage emphasizes the far-reaching impact of Jesus’s sacrifice. It is not limited to individuals but extends to all creation. The blood of Jesus has the power to restore and reconcile all things to their intended purpose and function in God’s perfect design.
Applying the Blood of Jesus
The Passover story provides a powerful illustration of applying the blood for protection. The Israelites were instructed to apply the blood of a lamb to their doorposts and lintel. When God saw the blood, he passed over their homes, sparing their firstborn from death. The blood, representing a life given, averted judgment. Similarly, the blood of Jesus protects us from the consequences of sin and the curse of the fall.
We apply the blood of Jesus through faith and declaration. By speaking God’s word and declaring the protective and cleansing power of Jesus’s blood over our lives, families, and possessions, we invite God’s blessing and protection.
The Secret of Obed-Edom
The story of Obed-Edom in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 15 reveals the blessings that come from honoring the blood of Jesus. When the ark of the covenant was placed in Obed-Edom’s house, God blessed him and his entire household. This blessing manifested in material prosperity and the transformation of his sons into mighty men of valor. Obed-Edom’s secret lies in his name, which means “serving Edom” or “serving the blood.” He honored the principle of blood sacrifice, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
Carrying Jesus on Our Shoulders
David’s initial attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem resulted in tragedy because he disregarded God’s prescribed way. However, when he later brought the ark, he offered sacrifices, acknowledging the significance of the blood. This time, the Levites carried the ark on their shoulders as instructed, and God helped them. The weight of the ark, representing the glory of Jesus, is too heavy for any individual to bear alone. But when we carry Jesus on our shoulders, in obedience to his word, God empowers us and lightens the burden.
Conclusion: Living a Life that Glorifies Jesus
The blood of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. It provides forgiveness for our sins, protection from harm, and abundant blessings. We are called to honor the blood by living a life that glorifies Jesus. This involves turning away from sin, embracing God’s grace, and actively applying the blood of Jesus through faith and declaration. As we do so, we experience the transformative power of God’s love and become vessels of his blessing to the world.
