Dwight Fletcher | Why is Jesus’ blood a big deal?

LAST WEEK we wrapped up a series on ‘Jesus Christ as Lord’. In it, we discussed how Jesus has secured the title of Lord, and this demands a response from His people. Not only do we confess with our mouths and actions that He is Lord, but we obey Him completely as He deserves as Lord. Now that we’ve set this foundation, we can better understand the power of the blood of Jesus which is a pivotal part of the Christian faith.

Did you know that the Bible is a bloody book? There are over 400 mentions of ‘blood’ from Genesis to Revelations. We read of Adam and Eve being clothed using the skin of animals that were killed (Genesis 3:21), of Abel sacrificing animals to God (Genesis 4:4), of the bridegroom of blood (Exodus 4:25), and of the Passover Lamb’s blood applied to the doorpost (Exodus 12:6-7). The Books of Numbers and Leviticus highlight numerous offerings and sacrifices that required the shedding of blood and six books in the New Testament directly refer to the blood of Jesus.

Revelation, for example, says the saints overcame by their testimony and by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). So, it is easy to see that this is a major theme. But what is it about the blood? Why do we need to speak about it?

Well, first, we cannot overcome by using something we do not understand. It is like having a weapon that we can’t use. The enemy brings attacks and we don’t know how to protect ourselves using the blood of Jesus. But that changes today!

BENEFITS OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Redemption – We are set free because Jesus shed His blood for our sin. The Word of God makes it clear that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus Christ is “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8; 5:9-12). There is no substitute for the blood.

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Cleansing – The blood of Christ is so powerful that not only does it initially cleanse the believer from sin, but the blood continues to cleanse us daily as we walk in the light of the cross. When 1 John 1:7 says that the blood of Jesus “cleanses us from all sin”, it is a promise for all your days.

Justification – “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:9) This truth should cause every believer to shout in joy! Faith in the blood of Christ enables you to stand before God with confidence, just as if you had never sinned.

Sanctification – The believer is not only saved, redeemed, and justified by the blood of Christ, but the blood sets the believer free from the power of sin. Hebrews 13:12 tells us that Jesus’ blood makes us holy and enables us to grow in Christ-likeness by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Life – When we put faith in the blood, the very life of Christ rejuvenates us. We are now connected to the Source of Life, and this transforms our very lives.

Power in prayer – Prayer is based on the merits of the blood of Christ and claiming the benefits (Hebrews 12:22–24). Because of His blood, our prayers carry a boldness that does not come from ourselves, but from what Jesus accomplished.

Access to God – “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). The blood removes the barrier that once separated us from God and welcomes us into His presence without fear. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we now have personal intimacy with God.

The blood of Christ is a living reality that empowers, cleanses, restores, and draws us near to God. It is our unchanging hope in a forever changing world.