The Blood of Christ

Today I was thinking about the blood of Christ and all that it represents. What do we know about his blood? We know that the blood he shed on the cross was symbolized in the Old Testament account of the Passover (Exodus chapter 12). "...and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." Exodus 12:13 We know that the wine given at the Lord's Supper was a symbol of the blood that he was about to shed on the cross. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28 We know that his blood atoned for our sins and also justified us. "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood..." Romans 3:25 "Since we have now been justified by his blood..." Romans 5:9 We know that his blood has redeemed us. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace..." Ephesians 1:7 We know that his blood reconciled us and brought us peace with God. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1:19 We know that the book of Hebrews deals extensively with all of the ways that blood mentioned in the Old Testament rituals symbolizes New Covenant fulfillment. We know that Peter speaks of how precious that blood is and how, since we are redeemed by that blood, we ought to be spurred on to a greater level of holiness and obedience. 1st Peter 1:13-25 We know that the book of Revelation, however mysterious it may be, mentions the blood of Christ several times. But I think that the verse I have gained the most encouragement from is found in Ephesians 2:13. It says this: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." This sums it all up. All of the previously mentioned verses talk about the characteristics of the blood and what it accomplishes for the Christian, but this verse is so straightforward. It is by the blood of Christ that we are brought near. And what a marvelous thing it is!

There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains
~There is a Fountain, by William Cowper

Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned he stood
Sealed my pardon with his blood
Hallelujah, what a Savior
~Man of Sorrows, by Philip Bliss

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in my Savior's blood
Died He for me who caused His pain
For me who Him to death pursued
~And Can it Be, by Charles Wesley

Nothing of merit possessing
All helpless before Him I lay
But in the precious blood flowing
He washed all my sin stains away
~His Grace Aboundeth More, by Kate Ulmer

Lord Jesus for this I most humbly entreat
I wait blessed Lord at thy crucified feet
By faith for my cleansing I see thy blood flow
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow
~Whiter Than Snow, by James Nicholson

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured
There were the blood of the Lamb was spilt
~Grace Greater Than Our Sin, by Julia Johnston

For nothing good have I
Whereby His grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb
~Jesus Paid it All, by Elvina Hall