The Blood of Christ

Sin, being man’s revolt from God and the setting up of his own independence, has placed a barrier between God and man. This was symbolised in the Old Testament by the veil of the tabernacle, showing that there was no access, no entrance into the presence of God, except in God’s own particular way. This way was that once a year, and only once, the high priest, divested of all his priestly garments, entered into the most holy place with blood. Before him stood the ark covered with gold, and over which was the cloud of glory. All these betokened God’s character of perfect righteousness and holiness. Then the high priest drew near to this throne of God and sprinkled the Mercy Seat, that is, the cover of the ark, once and once only. Thus, God’s eye rested on blood, and His law of righteousness was satisfied, for the blood was the witness of death for sin. The high priest then proceeded to sprinkle the floor around the ark, that is, the sandy deserts, with blood seven times. Why this? It signified that by means of atoning blood the worshipper could draw near to God and stand accepted and complete.

Now see the fulfilment of this in Christ. First, He suffered outside the camp, that is, in this world. Then, having risen, He ascended into Heaven, into the true Holy of Holies, in human form as Man, and there appears in God’s presence for us, our Advocate, our Intercessor, and our Forerunner, the barriers all removed, the enmity abolished. This is what Paul meant when he said, “Having made peace through the Blood of His Cross” (Col. 1:20). This is what he meant when he said, “Ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13), and “Through Him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph 2:18). Again, “Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). Thus, the veil being rent, the way made manifest, we have peace with God, access to God, boldness to approach Him. Now it is by faith, but ere long by the same Blood we shall enter Heaven, for is it not written, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God”? (Rev. 7:14, 15).

The Blood cleanses from the guilt through the Death of Christ. This is what Paul meant when he said, “In whom we have the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7). This is the meaning of Romans 3:25, “A propitiation for the remission of sins that are past.” This is the meaning of the words in the institution of the Lord’s Supper, “My blood... shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). But we have more than forgiveness, we have justification; we are reckoned just. Not only are we forgiven criminals, but we are regarded as perfectly innocent men, for Paul says we are “justified by His Blood.”

The Blood of Christ releases from the bondage of sin by the resurrection of Christ. By the resurrection He triumphed over sin, hence the apostle says, “In whom we have redemption through His Blood” (Col. 1:14). Redemption is the buying back, the purchase, the deliverance from the slavery and bondage of sin. Hence it is said that the Church is “purchased with His own Blood” (Acts 20:28), and the song of Heaven will be, “Thou hast redeemed us to God by Thy Blood.” Thank God that, once redeemed, there can be no more slavery for us, for it is written that Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12).

But this is not all. A slave may be redeemed and yet have no power to live as a free man. Therefore Christ's deliverance includes the restoration of our sin-weakened powers. In union with Him, His life becomes our life, and we have sanctification by His Blood. Lest any sin should afterward defile and weaken us, we have the assurance that “the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from every sin” (1 John 1:7). It is much to know, as we have seen, that His Blood blots out our guilt and opens Heaven but it is much more to know that we are made partakers of His sanctifying virtues, that the holiness of Christ passes into us and that His life becomes the wellspring of a new existence. Thus we go on from strength to strength, until at last it shall be said of us, “They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 12:11).

This, then, is the need, the meaning, and the power of Christ’s Blood. And now let us accept it. There is no other hope and no other means of salvation.