Nothing but the Blood

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. 
Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)

I once had a professor in seminary who hated any talk about the blood of Jesus. He said he was sick and tired of what he called “slaughterhouse religion” and wanted it out of the pulpit for good. But he was missing it. Take the blood out of a body, and the body dies. Take the blood out of the body of Christ, and it dies too.

The holiest night in the Jewish calendar is Passover. It is a time to remember when, after Pharaoh’s ninth refusal to let God’s people go, the Lord’s death angel moved through Egypt and took the life of every firstborn on whose house He did not find blood painted over the door post. God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” 

What if God looked in and saw no blood, only a baptismal certificate on the wall or a stack of giving receipts, religion, or remorse? Death would have come anyway.

Today’s verse tells us why: “...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” If there had been any other way to be redeemed, cleansed, or forgiven, Jesus would never have shed one drop of His blood. That He did tells you His blood alone can cleanse you from all sin.

I once heard a story about six climbers who bought what they thought was true Alpine Club rope before descending an icy Swiss peak. When the lead man slipped, the rope snapped, and three friends fell to their deaths. The survivors later learned that genuine Alpine Club rope always carries a red thread woven straight through its core. The rope that broke never had one.

Whatever rope you’re clutching to get you right with God, if it doesn’t have a scarlet thread running through it, sin will break it. 

There’s only one rope strong enough to hold you, and it’s already been paid for in blood.

Prayer: Father, thank You that Jesus shed His blood for us. Show me if I’m trusting anything other than His blood to get me right with You, and help me trust in You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.