BLOOD
Throughout the Bible, blood plays a central and profound role in God’s relationship with humanity. From the earliest chapters of Genesis to the culmination of God’s plan in Jesus Christ, blood symbolizes life, sacrifice, and covenant. Let’s explore this rich biblical theme and its implications for Christians today.
The Sanctity of Blood in Creation and Law
In the beginning, God created humans and animals as vegetarians (Gen 1:29-30). It wasn’t until after the Great Flood that God permitted the consumption of meat (Gen 9:3). However, this permission came with a crucial restriction: “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it” (Gen 9:4). This prohibition was later reinforced in the Mosaic Law, where God declared, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Lev 17:11).
This divine instruction underscores the sacred nature of blood as the essence of life itself. By prohibiting the consumption of blood, God emphasized its unique purpose in atonement and covenant-making.
Blood in Covenant-Making
Throughout the Old Testament, blood played a crucial role in establishing and sealing covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant, a foundational promise in biblical history, was ratified through the shedding of animal blood (Gen 15:9-21). This practice of using blood in covenant-making reached its apex in the Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai.
When Moses sealed the covenant between God and Israel, he sprinkled blood on both the altar and the people, declaring, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words” (Ex 24:8). This act symbolized the binding nature of the covenant and the serious consequences of breaking it.
The New Covenant in Christ’s Blood
Jesus Christ, as the fulfillment of all Old Testament covenants, established the New Covenant through His own blood. At the Last Supper, He took the cup and said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28). This declaration was both shocking and profound, as it connected His impending sacrifice to the covenant-making rituals of old while introducing a new and better covenant.
The author of Hebrews explains the significance of Christ’s blood: “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Heb 9:15).
REFERENCE
Reverence for Life: The biblical emphasis on blood reminds us of the sanctity of life. As Christians, we should value and protect all human life as sacred.
Gratitude for Redemption: Christ’s shed blood provides our atonement and forgiveness. We should live with deep gratitude for this ultimate sacrifice.
Covenant Faithfulness: Just as God is faithful to His covenant promises, we are called to be faithful to our covenant relationship with Him.
Sacrificial Living: As beneficiaries of Christ’s sacrifice, we are called to offer our lives as “living sacrifices” (Rom 12:1), serving God and others selflessly.
Communion Remembrance: When we partake in communion, we remember Christ’s sacrifice and renew our commitment to the New Covenant.
As Christians, the biblical theme of blood is a profound reminder of the costly nature of our redemption and the depth of God’s love. Reflecting on this truth should inspire us to live lives worthy of the covenant we have entered through Christ’s blood. Let us offer ourselves in service to God and others with the same sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated for us. By embracing these principles, we honor the sanctity of life, express gratitude for our salvation, maintain faithfulness in our relationship with God, live sacrificially, and renew our commitment to the New Covenant through communion. In doing so, we embody the essence of our faith and the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice.