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The blood of Jesus Christ plays a central role in Christian salvation, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior’s life for the atonement of sins, the establishment of a new covenant, and the justification and redemption of humanity.
The blood of Christ was shed through His suffering and death on the cross. He bled as He was flogged and when a crown of thorns was put on His head (John 19:1–2). When soldiers nailed spikes through His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; John 20:25) and speared His side, the blood of Jesus flowed (John 19:34). This shed blood was the price our Savior paid to cover the debt we owed to God for our sins: “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:2, NLT).
The significance of blood in the context of atonement and salvation traces back to the Old Testament. In the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites, the blood of animals played a crucial role in the atonement of sins. Leviticus 17:11 states, “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.”
The punishment for sin or breaking God’s law was one’s life (Exodus 32:33). God’s perfect justice against sin demands “a life for a life” (Genesis 9:5–6; Exodus 21:23). Animal sacrifices were a stopgap; they could not achieve the removal of guilt and forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:9–10) and had to be repeated year after year (Hebrews 10:1–4, 11).
In the New Testament, the concept of atonement for sin through the shedding of blood is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. He stepped in, took our punishment upon Himself, and paid the price with His blood—His life for ours—fulfilling God’s demand for perfect justice (Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:10). Redeemed believers are “made perfect” and “made holy” by Christ’s one perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14–18). His blood poured out on the cross “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, NKJV)
John the Baptist identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This metaphor highlights Jesus as the ultimate and perfect sacrificial lamb whose blood was shed for our salvation. When Christ offered Himself on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:27; 9:14), His lifeblood was accepted by God the Father as payment in full for every last sin—past, present, and future—for the whole human race. No earthly treasure, no silver or gold, can compare to the value of “the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:18–19, NLT).
At the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17–30; Luke 22:7–30; Mark 14:12–26), Jesus emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifice of His blood. Christ took a cup, gave thanks to God for it, and then said to His disciples, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many” (Matthew 26:27–28, NLT).
On the cross, Jesus established the New Covenant, replacing the old sacrificial system with His own sacrifice. In the ordinance of communion, believers partake of the bread and the cup, symbols of Christ’s body and blood, in remembrance of His sacrifice. This observance tangibly reminds us of the cost of our salvation and the New Covenant established by Christ.
The apostle Paul elaborates on the role of Christ’s blood in justification, a legal declaration of righteousness: “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:9). Justification entails being declared righteous in God’s sight and saved from condemnation. The blood of Christ cancels the charge of our legal indebtedness by nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:13–14). Believers are no longer destined to face eternal punishment (John 3:18; Romans 5:16; John 12:48; Revelation 20:11–15).
Knowing that the blood of Christ has secured our salvation brings assurance and peace (Colossians 1:19–20; Ephesians 2:13–14; Romans 5:1). The writer of Hebrews expounds, “So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven. . . . With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. . . . Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins . . . so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them” (Hebrews 9:11–15, NLT). As we reflect on the blood of Christ, may we always be grateful for the costly and precious gift of our salvation.
