There is something inherently powerful in blood, in human blood.
For some of us, the sight of blood makes us faint. I recall my eldest son gashing his chin in a toboggan snow tumble. The Resort doctor had to cut in order to do stiches. I watched… then the doctor asked me if I was, okay? I was turning pale! It was the sight of blood. Perhaps, being my son made me feel it more.

As I reflect on the many mentions of blood in the Bible I often ponder why? As Christian believers we understand that the New Covenant for the forgiveness of sins is all about the blood that Jesus shed (Matt. 26:27-28). Yet, understanding the full meaning and purpose of the blood can seem complex… and why does God make the blood so important?

God sees blood as not only representing life, but that it is the life of every creature (Lev. 17:11). When Jesus was crucified, he shed his life blood… it was the absolute proof that his body died!

The Bible is explicit, “… it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life”. (Lev.17:11). Then, in the NT we read “… without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. (Heb.9:22).

The life blood that Jesus shed, became evidence in heaven that Jesus died. God accepts that death on our behalf, because without the shedding of his life blood there can be no forgiveness. At that pivotal moment in history the poured-out blood signified not only that Christ died but that the life of sinful man had also come to an end completely!

Yes, life is in the blood, and when it was shed Jesus died and believers died! But Jesus rose as a NEW PERSON and we rose with him too. God no longer sees the old you, it is finished nailed to the cross. We are now perfect and righteous in Christ.