Why did Jesus shed his blood?

Matthew 26:28 "...this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Psalms 129:3 gives this description: "The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows."

Seven hundred and fifty years earlier, Isaiah had prophesied concerning the Messiah,

"I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:" (Isaiah 50:6)

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. " (Isaiah 53:5)

The phrase “blood of Christ” is used several times in the New Testament and is the expression of the sacrificial death and full atoning work of Jesus on our behalf. References to the Savior’s blood include the reality that He literally bled on the cross, but more significantly that He bled and died for sinners. The blood of Christ has the power to atone for an infinite number of sins committed by an infinite number of people throughout the ages, and all whose faith rests in that blood will be saved.

The only way God deals with our sin is through the blood of the Lamb of God.

NOT WITHOUT BLOOD

What great truth is expressed in the fundamental tenet "not without blood."

1. God can pardon but " not without blood."
   "And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission" Hebrews 9:22.



2. Men can be redeemed, but "not without blood,"
   "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" 1 John 1:7.



3. Heaven can be gained but "not without blood,"
   "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh" Hebrews 10:19, 20.



4. Peace can be enjoyed but "not without blood,"
   "And, having made peace through the blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" Colossians 1:20.



5. Justification can be ours but "not without blood,"
   "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" Romans 5:9.



6. Sanctification can be experienced but "not without blood,"
   "Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate" Hebrews 13:12.



7. Glorification can be ours but "not without blood,"
   "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, 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, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them" Revelation 7:14, 15.

The very thought that the LORD God and sinful man are brought together in an intimate love relationship is expressed in the word "at–one–ment." Behind this word is the presupposition that alienation and hostility have been overcome. Reconciliation and forgiveness are also associated with atonement (Romans 5:11).

Atonement is needed because of the depravity of man (Romans 1-3). The LORD God is a holy God and He can not look upon sin. The word "atone" has the idea of "to wipe out," "to erase," "to cover." It is often translated "to make atonement," "forgive," "pardon," "purge," and "reconcile."

In the Scriptures, the means of atonement was the offering of a bloody sacrifice. God is seen providing the sacrifice and man performing the rite. Man is not seen initiating the relationship, but God. God made the provision for sin in an act of grace. The shedding of blood is the central action in making atonement for sin. This theme is developed through out the Scriptures.

Jesus shed his blood because: ALL OF US HAVE SINNED.

God is holy and perfect--and we are not. We sin and do evil like lying, stealing, murdering, etc.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"; Romans 3:23

Jesus shed his blood because: THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)--both physical death and then death in hell, the lake of fire that burneth with fire and brimstone.

In any society, people expect evildoers to be punished. God is the judge of all the earth and his law is perfect. Sin is the transgression of the law of God and sin must be punished. Lies, murders, adulteries, and other crimes against the law of God must be punished.

Ezekiel 18:4 "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."

Ezekiel 18:20 "The soul that sinneth, it shall die.... "

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death..."

Jesus shed his blood because: GOD WANTS US TO LIVE

Even though we have done evil, God is not willing that any should perish.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Ezekiel 33:11 "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

God loved this world and he made a way for us to be saved and to know him. He gave us his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord came here as a man in order to pay for our sins. The blood of Jesus is the atonement for our sins. Hebrews 9:22, "...without shedding of blood is no remission."

atonement, n.,
1. Reconciliation Leviticus 16:20 ; restoration of friendly relations; agreement; concord after enmity or controversy.
2. Expiation; satisfaction or reparation made by doing or suffering that which is received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; amends.

expiation, n.,
The act of making satisfaction or atonement for any crime or fault; the extinguishing of guilt.

When the Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood, he paid for our sins and crimes so that we can be saved from the wrath to come and can know God as our Father. All we have to do is acknowledge the futility of striving to save ourselves and BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ - that he died, was buried, and rose again on the third day as evidence of a satisfactory "payment in full" of our sins

As we examine the scriptures, we see that God has always required blood to atone for man's sin.

Leviticus 17:11, "...the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. "

Under the Old Testament, the blood of animals was shed to atone for man's sins. The reality of the blood of Christ as the means of atonement for sin has its origin in the Mosaic Law. Once a year, the priest was to make an offering of the blood of animals on the altar of the temple for the sins of the people. But this was a blood offering that was limited in its effectiveness, which is why it had to be offered again and again. This was a foreshadowing of the “once for all” sacrifice which Jesus offered on the cross (Hebrews 7:27). Once that sacrifice was made, there was no longer a need for the blood of bulls and goats.

Leviticus is a bloody book. You read only a few verses and you are into blood, sacrifices and offerings. There is the shedding of blood and sprinkling of blood on altars and veils. You can't escape it. It is not beautiful, but it was never meant to be beautiful. It fully meant to paint a picture of the awfulness of sin. Sin is not so beautiful as portrayed every night on our TV. It is ugly and it is deadly. "The wages of sin is death." and "The soul that sins will surely die."

Sin is always sinful. God has never treated it lightly. It outrages the holiness of God. The "wrath of God" is God's opposition to all sin (Romans 1:18, 24, 26, 28; Ephesians 2:3).

When a Hebrew heard the word "blood", he most likely thought of a violent death and in particular to denote the blood of sacrifices. There was a close connection between life and blood in Hebrew thought. Leviticus 17:11 is not referring to life as existent after the blood has been poured out, but to death. It is a life given up in death. The life ceases to exist when the blood is poured out. The shedding of blood stands for the bringing to an end of a life in the flesh. It is referring to physical death. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement."

Under the New Testament, the blood of Jesus was shed to atone for man's sins. The blood of Christ is the basis of the New Covenant. On the night before He went to the cross, Jesus offered the cup of wine to His disciples and said, "... This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20). The pouring of the wine in the cup symbolized the blood of Christ which would be poured out for all who would ever believe in Him. When He shed His blood on the cross, He did away with the Old Covenant requirement for the continual sacrifices of animals. Their blood was not sufficient to cover the sins of the people, except on a temporary basis, because sin against a holy and infinite God requires a holy and infinite sacrifice. “But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:3). While the blood of bulls and goats were a “reminder” of sin, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:19) paid in full the debt of sin we owe to God, and we need no further sacrifices for sin. Jesus said, “It is finished” as He was dying, and He meant just that—the entire work of redemption was completed forever, “having obtained eternal redemption” for us (Hebrews 9:12).

THE OLD TESTAMENT: THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS

When we turn back to the Old Testament of the Bible, we see that after sin entered into the world, God required the blood of animals for the atonement of the sins that men committed. In the Old Testament, the shedding of blood in sacrifices has a special significance. The sprinkled blood is a "covering" for sin. The life of the animal was poured out in death as a substitute for the people. The animal's life was given up on behalf of the life of the people. Judgment was carried out by transferring the sin of the people to the animal sacrifice. The Passover lamb and the scapegoat are substitutes for the offerer. The animal sacrifice was a sign that death had already taken place. Therefore, the death angel passed over that individual. It is the termination of life, the infliction of death that atones. Death had violently taken place as a substitute in the Passover sacrifice (Exodus 12:13). The shedding of blood signifies a violent death, killing or murder. Life is associated with blood that flows through our veins. Life was given up in the pouring out of its precious blood. Death occurred. The dominant thought of the Old Testament is the infliction of death rather than the release of life. The natural interpretation when we think of blood and shedding of blood is death. The "blood of Christ" is a clear expression for the death of Christ. Blood is the symbol of sacrificial death; a life poured out in death. It is not the releasing of life, but the end of the life, death. Redemption is only possible by blood life poured out. Hebrews 9:22 summarizes the whole Old Testament teaching on sacrifice. " And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

The whole Old Testament sacrifices find their fulfillment in the blood of Christ in His sacrificial death (Hebrews 9:7-28; 13:11-12). God achieved our full complete comprehensive redemption through the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:20; 9:26). The substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross is all–sufficient and perfect to deal with all our sin and guilt.

The Old Testament saints anticipated the death of Christ for their sins by offering animal sacrifices. Jesus Christ is the substitute that has met the holy demands against the sinner. The sinner was forgiven only after the priest offered the bloody sacrifice anticipating the death of Christ for sin (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7; 19:22; Numbers 15:22-28). Paul said, "In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us" (Ephesians 1:7-8).

Israel continually shed the blood of beasts, but the blood of beasts could not take away sins (Hebrews 10:4, 11)--that is why they had to keep sacrificing them. In spite of the sacrifices, the Israelites were still unfaithful to their God as evidenced by their willingness to go after other gods. We see this in much of the Old Testament including the books of the prophets. Israel sacrificed, but the blood of beasts could not make them perfect (Hebrews 10:1) or purge them of their evil ways.

Hebrews 10:4 "...it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

Consequently, the Levitical priesthood had to keep on offering sacrifices--not just for the sins of the people but for their own sins, too. They had to sacrifice over and over again, year in and year out. A better sacrifice was needed.

About 600 years before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, God told his people, the children of Israel, that he was going to make a new covenant with them--

Jeremiah 31:31 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:34 "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

The shedding of the blood of animals under the Old Testament was a picture of what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ would do in the New Testament.

THE BLOOD OF JESUS, THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

God sent his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to take away the sin of the world once and for all. He is that better sacrifice that came to earth in the fullness of time. The Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect Lamb of God that shed his blood for us so that we could be saved from the penelity of sin. It is the blood of Jesus that God requires now, not the blood of beasts. The blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse men from both the guilt and power of sin and it purges us all the way down to our very consciences. The blood of Jesus is the blood of the everlasting covenant. It saves us for eternity, it delivers us from sin, it purges our consciences, it gives us power to overcome the flesh, the devil, and the world.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has completely abolished the system of animal sacrifice for ever. The blood of the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament only pictured what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah, would do when he shed his own blood on the cross.

There is no way to approach God but through the blood of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:5-7 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins>, according to the riches of his grace;"

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"The blood of animals could never take away sins."

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Hebrews 10:4

We need the blood of Jesus. The blood of beasts was only a picture of the blood of Jesus that would be shed on the cross for the remission of our sins. The tabernacle of that first covenant could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience.

Hebrews 9:9 "...a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience..."

Christ Jesus came as a high priest by a greater and more perfect tabernacle than that of the Levitical priesthood and not with the blood of beasts but with his own blood.

Hebrews 9:11 " ...Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;"

Hebrews 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us."

9:13 "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:"

9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

The Lord Jesus Christ--God manifested in the flesh--came to this earth to take away our sins. He lived a perfect life, was without sin, and died in our place so that we could live. He shed his blood to pay for our sins so that we can be saved and have everlasting life. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He shed his blood on the cross to take away our sin. WE ALL DESERVE HELL AND THE LAKE OF FIRE, NOT ONE OF US IS GOOD

THE BIBLICAL IDEA OF BLOOD

It is essential that we grasp the Biblical idea of Blood in divinely appointed sacrifice. A close study of the scriptures unveils a threefold basic fundamental, the foundation of expiating sacrifice by bloodshedding.

1. The Blood is the Life

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood." Leviticus 17:11. This principle brings out the expiating wealth and eternal value of the Blood of the Lamb. The blood equalled the life and the value of the blood was the value of the life.

At the cross it was not pure humanity shedding blood for depraved humanity, but it was Incarnate deity shedding blood for depraved humanity. The eternal uncreated life of the Godhead flowed from Emmanuel's veins.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood". Acts 20:28.

The life of the flesh is in the blood -- the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The blood equals the life, therefore the Blood of Christ equals the life of the Incarnate Deity. According to Colossians 2:9, in Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and that fullness was emptied out in the crimson flow on f the cross. The blood then is the life-tide of the Godhead.

2. The Blood is the Life Given

"I have given it to you upon the altar." Leviticus 17:11. The blood must be shed, the life must be given. The Blood is sacrificial Blood, in the Bible it is always that.

The offering on the cross was a substitutionary, vicarious "instead of me" sacrifice. It was the blood on the altar, the life given in sacrifice that constituted the expiation. The "blood shed" was the sacrifice which alone was sin-atoning. The majesty of Calvary's mystery comes into focus in John 10:18. "No man taketh it from me. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." We need to remember that in the Blood there is not only substitution, He loved and gave Himself for me, but restitution, He offered Himself without spot to God. It takes both substitution and restitution to justify the sinner. Both come flowing to us in the blood of the cross.

3. The Blood is Life Giving

"It is the Blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Leviticus 17:11. The law states "the soul that sinneth it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4.

Stern justice demands the death of the transgressor but the Blood makes atonement for the sinning soul. By the Blood God is both just and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. Psalm 85:10-- "Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Where? In a fountain filled with Blood, drawn from Emmanuel's veins. The precious Blood is life-giving for it has opened the grave.

The Great Shepherd of the sheep was brought again from the dead by the Blood of the everlasting Covenant.
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant" Hebrews 13:20.

Through the Blood we shout in triumph
"Death is swallowed up in Victory."

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world--he is perfect, holy, beloved, and righteous altogether. In him is no sin and when we put our trust in him, we are accepted of God. We must believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification before God (Romans 4:25)

1 John 3:5 "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."

Ephesians 1:6 "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."

Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

The Lord Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, without sin and became sin for us when he hung on the cross shedding his blood in payment for our sins. He died for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. He came here to earth in order to pay for our sins. The blood of Jesus is the atonement for our sins.

PEACE WITH GOD AND RECONCILIATION THROUGH THE ATONEMENT

Those that respond to the offer of salvation and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved. And having been saved by the blood of Jesus, we have peace with God and a new life in him and his word.

Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

Romans 5:2 "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Romans 5:3 "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;"

Romans 5:4 "And patience, experience; and experience, hope:"

Romans 5:5 "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Romans 5:6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

Romans 5:7 "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die."

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Romans 5:10 "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

Romans 5:11 "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

By offering the sacrificial blood, the worshiper was acknowledging his own guilt and the just penalty of death. By the atonement, God was "passing over," "overlooking" and "covering" sins until Christ came. When Christ came and died He did not pass over or cover it, but took it away (John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24). God's infinite holiness was satisfied in the death of Christ (John 19:30). The sacrifices in the Old Testament anticipated the efficacious blood of the perfect Lamb of God. The atoning blood of the animal sacrifices, by symbolizing the shed blood of Christ, served to cover (atone) sin until the day when Christ would actually deal with the sin. The death of Christ proved that God was righteous in passing over the sins for which the animal sacrifices had been shed before His coming. God had forgiven sin based on the promise of a sufficient Lamb. The death of Christ proved God to be righteous in all that He promised to the Old Testament saints.

Peter had the sacrificial system of the Old Testament in mind when he wrote 1 Peter 1:18-19. So did Paul in Romans 3:24-25 and John in Revelation 5:6-9. Jesus is clearly reminiscent of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 when He speaks of the "ransom" in Mark 10:45.

The expression "blood" and "cross" are synonyms for the substitutionary death of Christ. The expression "blood of Christ" is used more frequently in the New Testament than either the death of Christ or the cross of Christ. Christ made an atoning sacrifice by the offering up of His blood (Romans 3:25). We have been sprinkled with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:2). The only remedy for sin is the shed blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ (John 1:29). The blood of Christ refers to the violent, voluntary, substitutionary death upon the cross for men. The "blood of Christ" reveals the significance which His death bears for sinful men (Rom. 5:9). It is a once-for-all accomplishment. We have been "sprinkled" by His blood (Heb. 9:14; 10:19-23; 12:24; 13:20; 1 Pet. 1:2, 7). We have "redemption" through His blood (Rom. 3:24), "propitiation in His blood through faith" (3:25; 1 John 4:10), "justified by His blood" (Rom. 5:9), "peace through the blood of the cross" (Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20, 22). The death of Christ has effected our reconciliation with God.

The blood of Jesus removes from the believing sinner the wrath of God (Rom. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9). God is the one who removes His own wrath by the sacrifice He provides. To "propitiate" signifies "the turning away of anger," usually by an offering. Christ is that offering provided by God.

The life of the sinner was under the sentence of death until Christ by the shedding of His blood in the death on the cross released and cleansed us of all sin (Eph. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Rev. 1:5; 5:9). Christ bore the divine penalty and God is now free to forgive all sin and declare the believing sinner just in His sight (1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).

TWO GROUPS

There are a lot of nations in this world, but in actuality there are only two. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil, who is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). A person will either

• Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of their soul and trust His word; or,
• They will attempt to please God in the vain hope that their "good works" will gain some merit. Many religious people will go to hell -this not only includes Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, evolutionists, Hindus, etc. but also those that say that they are Christians but do not fully trust Jesus at His word.

When you die, where you go depends on who you trusted with your soul while you were on this earth. There are only two places to which a person can go:

1. The kingdom of heaven.
2. Hell and the lake of fire.

Those that REPENT of their idea of saving themselves from their sins, change their mind to BELIEVE in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and Trust his word will be saved and will have eternal life.

The only 'act' of repentance that saves, is the repentance (change of mind) from unbelief to belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The TURNING to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.

Rom 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Those that do not repent, hoping on their "good efforts" to cover their few short commings, and believe not that the Lord Jesus Christ has adequately and fully paid the price for their sin, will not see life. They will go to hell and the lake of fire that burneth with fire and brimstone - they will suffer with the devil, his angels, and the other rebels that rejected the Lord. There is no Roman Catholic "purgatory." When a person dies, they will go to heaven or hell.

John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

God is just and sin has to be paid for. Lying, murder, theft, etc. will not go unpunished like they often do in this world. If a person does not accept and trust on the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, with the complete ability to cleanse you from sin, he will be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity.

The blood of Jesus paid for the sins of all (1 John 2:2) but not all will be saved because many will reject the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

• 1John 2:2 "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world".



• John "8:24 "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins".



• John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world".



• John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".



• John 4:42 "And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world".



• John 6:33 "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world"



• John 12:48 "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day".

THE BLOOD OF JESUS WAS SHED ONE TIME

The blood of animals had to be shed over and over, but the blood of Jesus was shed only one time.

THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT THE SACRIFICE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST OCCURRED ONE TIME. IT IS FINISHED.

Again, the blood of Jesus was shed one time and it perfected FOR EVER them that are sanctified. The Bible makes it clear that the precious blood of Jesus was shed one time--

Hebrews 10:12 "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God."

Hebrews 7:27 "...this he did once, when he offered up himself. "

Hebrews 9:28 "...Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many..."

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Hebrews 10:14 "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST LIES AT THE HEART OF THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST

The Blood of Christ is nothing less than the whole redeeming work of Christ in concentrated form. In the crimson gore of Golgotha's agony comes flowing all the passion of the Substitute for sinners.

Every symbol of Scripture typology and every prediction of Scripture prophecy relating to the sufferings of Christ refer to the Blood.

Abel's blood in Genesis has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel," Hebrews 12:24.

The passover in Exodus has its New Testament counterpart in "Christ our passover sacrificed for us," 1 Corinthians 5:7.

The sin offering in Leviticus has its New Testament counterpart in the One "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree," 1 Peter 2:24.

The red heifer which was offered outside the camp in Numbers has its New Testament counterpart in "Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate," Hebrews 13:12.

The chosen place of sacrifice in Deuteronomy has its New Testament counterpart in "the place which is called Calvary," Luke 23:33.

The scarlet thread from the harlot's house in Joshua has its New Testament counterpart in the Corinthians, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

The peace-offering in Judges has its New Testament counterpart in Christ who "made peace for us through the blood of his cross," Colossians 1:20.

The redemption in Ruth has its New Testament counterpart in "redemption through his (Christ's) blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace," Ephesians 1:7.

The suckling lamb sacrificed in Samuel has its New Testament counterpart in "The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1:29.

The many offerings in Kings have their New Testament counterpart in "Christ once offered to bear the sins of many," Hebrews 9:28.

The altar in Ornan's threshing floor in Chronicles has its New Testament counterpart in the "altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle," Hebrews 13:10.

The continual offerings in Ezra have their New Testament counterpart in the "one sacrifice for sins forever," Hebrews 10:12.

The cleansing in Nehemiah has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin," 1 John 1:7.

The lesson of Esther has its New Testament counterpart in the life of the One, "Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God," Hebrews 12:2.

The intense sufferings of forsaken Job has its New Testament counterpart in the more intense sufferings of Job's Redeemer who cried out on the bloody tree, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46.

The anticipations in the Psalms have their New Testament counterpart in the propitiation of the Cross. "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2.

The wisdom of the Proverbs has its New Testament counterpart in the wisdom of the Cross. "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.

The preaching of Ecclesiastes has its New Testament counterpart in "the preaching of the cross." "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 21.

The bride in the Song of Solomon has her New Testament counterpart in the Church. "As Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27.

The sacrificial predictions of Isaiah have their New Testament counterpart at the Cross. "And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." John 19:16-18.

The outpoured wrath of God in Jeremiah has its New Testament counterpart in Christ crucified "which delivered us from the wrath to come," 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

The sorrow of Lamentations has its New Testament counterpart in the Passion of the Christ Who exclaimed, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death," Matthew 26:38.

The vision of Ezekiel has its New Testament counterpart in the apocalyptic vision, "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth," Revelation 5:6.

The great prince of Daniel has its New Testament counterpart in "Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen," Revelation 1:5, 6.

The love of Hosea has its New Testament counterpart in the great Lover of souls Who, "having loved his own, loved them unto the end," John 13:1.

The day of blood and darkness in Joel has its New Testament counterpart in the darkness of the crucifixion. "From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." Matthew 27:45 and 51.

The mountains which drop sweet wine in Amos have their New Testament counterpart when we come to the "Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things that that of Abel," Hebrews 12:22-24.

The deliverance of Obadiah has its New Testament counterpart in the great gospel deliverance. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:8, 9.

The question of Micah, "Is the spirit of the Lord straitened?" has its New Testament counterpart in the exclamation of Christ, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Luke 12:50.

The gazing stock of Nahum has its New Testament counterpart in the uplifted Christ. "And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned." Luke 23:48.

The victory of God in Habakkuk has its New Testament counterpart in the victory of the Cross. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15.

The Lord's sacrifice in Zephaniah has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God," Hebrews 9:14.

Zerubbabel in Haggai has his New Testament in the Lord of glory, "which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory," 1 Corinthians 2:8.

The smitten shepherd in Zechariah has his New Testament counterpart in the One who "by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh," (Ephesians 2:16, 17). ]

The common denominator of all this tremendous testimony of the typical and prophetical descriptions of Christ's sufferings and their actual fulfillment, is the blood. To reject the atoning Blood is to reject the vicarious sufferings of the Incarnate Son of God and to reject these sufferings is to leave mankind hopelessly stranded in sin.

FOR THOSE THAT REPENT AND BELIEVE

The blood of Jesus is a saving, healing blood. Look at what the blood has done:

What the blood of Jesus does	Bible Reference
The blood pays for our sins so we are reconciled to God and don't go to hell.	Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
The blood bought us. We now belong to God and are no longer under the power of Satan (Acts 26:18).	Acts 20:28 ...feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23 ...ye are bought with a price...
The blood justifies us before a holy God.	Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him..
The blood redeems us.	Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
The blood brought us Gentiles into a relationship with God that we didn't have before.	Ephesians 2:11-16 ... ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh ...without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus...are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.
The blood brought Jew and Gentile (regardless of race or nationality) into a right relationship with God.	Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
The blood brought peace.	Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
The blood purges our consciences from dead works.	Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The blood lets us enter into the holiest place before the throne of God.	Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
The blood forges an everlasting covenant between the believer and God.	Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
The blood sanctifies us.	Hebrews 10:29...the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified...
The blood cleanses us from all sin.	1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The blood washes away our sins.	Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
The blood causes us to overcome the devil. We believe in the blood unto the death.	Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST LIES AT THE HEART OF THE THREE-FOLD WITNESS ON EARTH

"And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son." 1 John 5:8, 9.

The witness of God on this earth to the fact that His Only Begotten Son, the Eternal Word, has come into the world, is the Spirit, the Water and the Blood. It is the reception of this fact that brings eternal life.

Now, the Spirit of God is both living and life-giving; the Word of God is both living and life-giving and the Blood is both living and life-giving. Their witness is not a dead witness but a living and life-giving witness.

The blood in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament had a two-fold aspect, the shedding of blood was death, the sprinkling of blood was life. In the sacrifice, death resulted in life, i.e., the blood. Death was thus the gateway to life. The blood shed in sacrifice, is always treated as living and active even after the death of the animal sacrificed. For example, on the day of atonement the blood was active in its sprinkling of the mercy seat after its shedding at the altar.

The Blood of Christ shed in death was the release of the divine Life of Christ and the making available of that Life for the sinner. In the shedding of His Blood Christ offered up His Life to God as an all-sufficient sacrifice for sin. In the sprinkling of His Blood Christ offered His life to men as salvation from sin. The Blood shed is the sacrificed Life of Christ propitiating Deity. The Blood sprinkled is the saving Life of Christ regenerating humanity.

This divine paradox, life issuing from death, is emphasised by the Apostle Paul. Writing to the believers in Rome he says,
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Romans 5:8-10.

Now it is this Blood, living and life-giving, which unites with the testimony of the Spirit of God and the Word of God as the divine witness on earth of the Christ of God. Without the Blood witnessing to the heart of the believer, the witness of the Word and the Spirit would be of none effect. The Blood is necessary to both the witness of the Spirit and the Word. To reject the Blood is to reject the Spirit of God and the Word of God.

THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST LIES AT THE HEART OF HEAVEN'S GLORY

In the last book of the New Testament we have the Revelation, the Unveiling, of Jesus Christ. As the curtain is drawn aside in chapter one, there is a doxology which sums up the reason for our inheriting heaven.
"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen," Revelation 1:5, 6.

We come to heaven through the Blood of the Redeemer.

In Revelation John records his vision of the throne of the everlasting God.
"And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." Revelation 4:3.

The Eternal One, "the Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come" is here described as "like a jasper and a sardine stone." The modern jasper stone is opaque but the jasper of the ancients, we are told, was a bright transparent stone, representing to the eye a variety of lively colours. The sardine (translated in the Revised Version margin as "ruby") is said to be deep red.

To the eye of John through the transparent jasper there appeared right in the heart of the Throne a deep red, for at the heart of the glorious perfections of the everlasting God there lies the deep red of His eternal redemptive purpose.

Revelation places a new and unique emphasis on Christ as the Lamb.

1. Christ crucified is called "the Lamb that was slain," Revelation 5:12.
2. Christ's indignation is called "the wrath of the Lamb," Revelation 6:16.
3. Christ's union with the Church is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife," Revelation 21:9
4. Christ's apostles are called "the apostles of the Lamb," Revelation 21:14.
5. Christ's record is called "the Lamb's book of life," Revelation 21:27.
6. Christ's Blood is called "the blood of the Lamb," Revelation 7:14.

Now four things are revealed about the Blood in heaven.

1. The Blood is the center of heaven's throne.

"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain (or a newly-slain Lamb), having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." Revelation 5:6.

At the center of the Throne in the eternal heavens is the Blood of our redemption. The Blood is central in the plan of salvation. The Blood is central in the work of redemption. The Blood is central in the Word of God. The Blood is central in the Church of God. The Blood is central in the Mind of God and the Blood is central in the Throne of God in heaven. Around this redemptive and regal centre all God's purposes revolve. By the blood of Christ in the Throne we are lifted up onto the throne. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne," Revelation 3:21. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death," Revelation 12:11.

2. The Blood is the characteristic of heaven's dress.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean," Revelation 19:11-14.
"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," Revelation 7:13, 14.

Christ's garments are white, dipped in Blood and the saints' garments are white being washed in the Blood.

3. The Blood is the theme of heaven's song.

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation," Revelation 5:9. The Blood provides an inexhaustible subject for the eternal praise of the redeemed in glory. The Blood throughout all eternity has power to awaken in the whole host of heaven an overflowing of joy and thanksgiving.

4. The Blood is the apex of heaven's glory.

"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel," Hebrews 12:22-24.

On the great day of atonement under the Mosaic economy there were seven sprinklings of the blood. At the end of the day there was a bloodmarked way straight from the door of the tabernacle through the two veils into the Holiest of All, and right on to the mercy seat.

1. At the foot of the brazen altar. "And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the LORD, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." Leviticus 4:18.



2. Round about upon the altar. "And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel." Leviticus 16:19.



3. On the horns of the brazen altar. "And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about." Leviticus 16:18.



4. On the horns of the golden altar. "And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD." Exodus 30:10.



5. Before the veil. "And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail." Leviticus 4:17.



6. Before the mercy seat. "And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times." Leviticus 16:14.



7. On the mercy seat. "And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times." Leviticus 16:14.

Now the furniture of the Tabernacle were patterns of the things in the heavens, and the writer to Hebrews reveals what this sprinkling signified. "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us," Hebrews 9:11, 12; 22-24.

The Blood opens the door of heaven and leads the way to the throne of heaven, and the Blood is the highest revelation in heaven of the glory of the Lord. The glories of heaven are listed and the final glory is the blood of sprinkling. Finality in the tabernacle on earth was the blood on the mercy seat and finality in the tabernacle in heaven is the Blood. As the glory which overshadowed the camp of Israel arose from the blood-sprinkled mercy seat, so the glory of heaven radiates from the Blood of the Lamb. The Blood is the foundation and finish of heaven's glory.

THE SEVEN WOUNDS OF JESUS

Jesus Christ received seven specific wounds in His body during His trial and death. The number seven in biblical terms speaks of perfection and completeness.

Wounds according to the dictionary are divisions of the soft part of the body by a mechanical force applied externally. They are classified as: contused, lacerated, penetrating, perforating and incised! Jesus Christ received each of these plus an additional two, by mutilation and falling.

1) THE CONTUSED WOUND - produced by a sharp instrument.

"They shall smite the Judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek." (Micah 5:1)
"Then they did spit in His face and buffeted Him, and others smote Him with the palms of their hands." (Matthew 26:67)

Jesus suffered pain and humiliation as Roman soldiers beat Him about the face with their rods!

Others, including the servants smote Him with their hands. The rod would cut into the flesh, leaving a contused wound.

2) THE LACERATED WOUND - produced by a tearing instrument.

The Romans used the cruel cat-of-nine tails to scourge criminals. On the end of the whip were nine pieces of leather to which were attached sharp ivory or metal balls with protruding nails. As the whip was cracked, it would tear out pieces of the flesh.

Jewish law demanded that not more than 40 lashes be administered, since often the victim would faint or even die during the scourging.

The Romans did not need to adhere to Jewish law. As a matter of fact, crucifixion was a Roman mode of execution! The Romans always scourged a condemned man before crucifying him.

Some historians and Church Fathers believe that Jesus Christ may have received many more than 30 stripes. The more punishment a prisoner took on the whipping pole, the shorter was the guard duty for the Roman Soldiers at the scene of execution.

If Jesus received 39 stripes in Pilate's Judgment Hall, that would have inflicted a total of 351 gashes on His lacerated back. If He received more than 39 stripes, the gashes would have been more numerous!

Prisoners who were scourged usually lost a lot of blood and sometimes fainted. Jesus suffered the agonizing and brutal scourging for us!

3) THE PENETRATING WOUND: a deep wound caused by a sharp, pointed instrument.

The crown of thorns that was pressed upon the head of Jesus caused such wounds. The Jerusalem thorn, known as the Arabian Nebulae, was 4 inches long and as sharp as a needle. The cruel woven crown probable containing over 100 needle sharp points was driven into His head with blows from a rod.

The Bible scriptures record, "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matthew 27:29)

"Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" (John 19:5)

It was the Governor's intention to scourge Jesus and then release him. He had hoped the pitiful sight of a weary, weak and bloodies man would satisfy their blood lust and evoke sympathy for the prisoner.

Instead of being satisfied, they craved more blood, crying out "Away with Him, crucify Him, crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22-23)


THORNS SPEAK OF THE ORIGINAL CURSE

Thorns speak of the original curse, "…cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee …" (Geneses 3:17-18)

Jesus Christ bore the penalty for our sins and transgressions.

Paul writes in Galatians 3:13-14, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: hat the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. "

Also in Colossians 1:20~22 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: Colossians 1:20~22

4) THE PERFORATING WOUND: From the Latin word; "to pierce through"

A Messianic psalm stated, "They pierced My hands and My feet" (Psalms 22:16) At the time of David's prophecy, he knew nothing of crucifixion, for the Hebrew method of capitol punishment was stoning!

The prophet Zechariah also foretold of the Messiah's death by crucifixion. "And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then shall He answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends." (Zechariah 13:6)

By the time Jesus was born, the Romans had conquered Palestine and crucifixion had become the mode of execution. The New Testament records: "And when they were come... to Calvary, there they crucified Jesus." (Luke 23:33; John 19:16-18)

Jesus Christ suffered the torments, agony, pain and death of the most horrible of all deaths - The Death of Crucifixion! He suffered for us. He bled for us. He died for us! And He arose again from the dead, for us!

5) THE INCISED WOUND: a cut produced by a sharp edged instrument.

"But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." (John 19:34)

As the Sabbath was approaching the soldiers helped speed up the expiration of the victims by smashing their thigh bones, thus allowing asphyxiation. When the Roman soldier came to Jesus, he noticed that He was already dead. The soldier then went on to the thief on Jesus' other side and with his large axe, smashed the femur bone (thigh bone) causing a quicker death.

In order to verify Jesus' death, the soldier then plunged his spear into the left side of Jesus!

This fulfilled the scripture, "They shall look upon Him Whom they have pierced." (Zechariah 12:10) So large was the wound that after the resurrection, Thomas "the doubter" was invited to thrust his hand into that wound.

"Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing." (John 20:27)

Medical science teaches that, "Blood in a cadaver readily separates into clear serum and red blood cells, thus certifying that the person is clinically dead." It proves that the death of Jesus was a reality and that there is life through His precious blood!

6) WOUNDS BY MUTILATION - the plucking out of His beard.

"I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6)

Not only did they slap and spit upon His face but they yanked out His beard causing the wounds of mutilation. Can you imagine the awful pain, as cruel Roman soldiers pulled out His beard! The blood flowed down upon Christ's chest as cruel tormentors mutilated His face by tearing out handfuls of His beard.

He did it for us. He was bloody from head to toe, by the time He had undergone the full mistreatment which the Roman soldiers heaped upon Him! He suffered more than any man and He did it all for us - to purchase our salvation!

"As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:" Isaiah 53:14

7) WOUNDS BY FALLING:

They laid the rugged cross upon His lacerated, bleeding back and forced Jesus to carry His own cross, as was the custom for condemned criminals. Due to loss of blood because of the scourging, He was unable to do so.

As He stumbled and fell, His body received more bruises and sores, and He suffered more pain, for us!

After His striping in Pilate's Judgment Hall, Jesus was subjected to a heavy wooden cross laid upon His raw, bleeding back. The cross bar was tied to His wrists and the stock to His left ankle. When He stumbled and fell, He had no way to protect Himself, so His body was further bruised and battered.

"And He bearing His cross went forth to the place of a skull..." (John 19:17) "And as they led Him away they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus." (Luke 23:26) (Mark 15:21)

CHRIST WAS WOUNDED FROM HEAD TO FOOT IN ORDER TO SAVE US!

What Relationship Is and What Ritual Isn’t

John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Christ came to give the lost sinner life – not ritual. We are called to worship Jesus, not some religious regimen.

Rituals can make humans feel good. The dedication of time and observing strict guidelines gives people a sense that they are reaching out to a “higher power”. This is why ritual is part of so many religions across the world but, for Christians, ritual without a relationship with Jesus can lead to spiritual complacency and can lead to a lack of true spiritual fruit in our lives.

John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Jesus said, “I am the way.” He didn’t say that perfect church attendance, or a certain kind of music, or a certain way of praying was the way, or a certain kind of baptism, He said that He was the way.

Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Here Jesus presents salvation as a person opening the door to their home and welcoming in a person – not an institution. He’s illustrating relationship; not a ritual. In verse 19 of Revelation chapter 20, Jesus calls us to be zealous. The greek work is zēloō. It means to have warmth of feeling for or against: affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, or to be jealous over. Zealous is very different from other words like fastidious, pedantic, or other words that might describe what we associate with following rules and regulations.

Righteousness and The Gospel

Jesus also said in Matthew 5: 17~20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

But, we know from the rest of the New Testament that we cannot work, or by ritualistic, religious living, obtain righteousness of any sort. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were no more righteous than the criminal who was crucified next to Jesus on Calvary. Yet, that criminal is in Heaven now because, in the last moments of his life, he started a relationship with his Savior.

Matthew 23:27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside they are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

It is not how much you clean up the outside by being sorry, or comparing yourself to others, its Who did you ask to save you, and can He do it.

But, but, buttt....

Righteous B. Goat

"Even the demons believe!"

That's the refrain of critics responding to ‘God’s Simple Plan'. Jesus tells us that "whosoever believes" is saved. Jesus doesn't go much further than that in his declaration in John 3:16. He doesn't add any "ands, ifs or buts." He merely says "whosoever believes" in him is saved. But, as our critics love to point out, even the demons believe -- and shudder!(James 2:19) Simply believing is not quite enough, they tell us. Anyone can believe -- the demons are proof!

Why even the faith of some men has not gone as far as that of the demons. They believe and tremble. Some men say they believe, but have never trembled before the Lord at the thought of the seriousness of sin. Many have never trembled at the thought of being called into account by God. There is no mercy for a trembling demon, but when a human trembles before the Lord, he is nigh unto salvation. "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Is. 66:2). Remember, there are no unbelievers in hell, however by then it will be too late. Weeping and gnashing of teeth will be the lot of the unsaved forevermore.

What fact can you, and only you, believe about Jesus, that no devil/demon can possibly believe?

That He is my kindsman redeemer, and personally died to save me from hell and rose again the third day signifying that God was satisfied with that payment. And my sin debt has been “paid in Full”, nevermore to be remembered. I can believe this, I can claim it by faith.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Every Demon in hell, believes that Jesus saves, knows that Jesus saves, but not one of them can know in their heart and say "Jesus has saved me".

Has Jesus saved you? Or, are you still trying to clean up the outside first. Matt 23:27

Do you really Trust Jesus?

What more could Jesus have done to prove His Love for you??