We drink His ‘blood’ in communion, sing about His blood, speak about His blood; yet do we know the full extent of its power?

Symbolism of blood in the bible

In today’s culture blood is rarely on public display; yet it would have been a common sight with deep meaning for those living in biblical times.

Since Mosaic Law required animal sacrifice from God’s people in order to be atoned for, blood would be sprinkled on the altar as a sin offering (eg Lev 5:9). Additionally, a covenant made between two people involved cutting the skin and mixing each-others’ blood together. According to Bob Yandian, the Hebrew word for ‘covenant’ comes from the word berith, ‘to cut.’ The palms of the hands, for example, might be cut and the hands put together (from which the handshake originated). Blood, therefore, is deeply symbolic.

The blood of Jesus brings life

Whereas we might see blood and be reminded of our mortality, scripture explicitly equates blood with life. In Genesis, God says that Abel’s blood ‘cries out’ to Him from the ground (Gen 4:10). In Leviticus God says that the ‘life of the flesh is in the blood…’ (Lev 17:10-11). Therefore, it follows that Jesus’ blood brings life. Thanks to His shed blood, His Spirit gives us ‘life and peace’ where before there was ‘death' (Rom 8:6, See also Heb 12:24).

The blood of Jesus brings forgiveness

Since it is the shedding of innocent blood that takes away sin, Jesus’ blood has removed our sin completely (Heb 9:22 & Heb 10:14). The author of Hebrews says:

‘He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.’ (Heb 9:12).

The blood of Jesus brings intimacy

There is no barrier between us and God. Where there was once discord, Jesus brought reconciliation, by ‘making peace through the blood of His cross’ (Col. 1:20. See also Eph 2:13-14). We are free to approach our Majestic, Almighty God with confidence at all times (Heb 10:19).

The blood of Jesus brings protection

The first Passover saw the Israelites painting blood over their doorways so that the angel of death would pass over their homes (Exodus 12:13). In a similar way, when our enemy sees that we are covered in Christ’s blood, he cannot touch us. The blood of Jesus is a weapon we can use: ‘For the accuser of our brothers and sisters… has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the power of their testimony’ (Rev 12:11). What is the ‘testimony’? According to David Wilkinson, it is proclaiming the power of the blood, saying ‘I testify to the prevailing, overcoming power of the blood of Jesus.’

How can we ‘enter into’ its power?

Instead of living under shame, we can choose to declare that we are forgiven, pursuing intimacy with God. When we have thoughts that drain us of life, we can refuse to dwell on them, remembering that His blood bought us life. We can pray the blood of Jesus over ourselves for protection, and rejoice in its power when under attack. David Wilkinson says:

We are victors! Jesus has won the victory for us; His blood has prevailed. And I believe our battle cry should be, “I proclaim the victory of the blood of Jesus! I am blood-washed, blood-bought, blood-justified, blood-safe, blood-ransomed!”

*There are countless other references to Jesus’ blood enabling our forgiveness. (Examples: Eph 1:7, 1 Jn. 1:7, Rom. 5:9, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Pet. 1:19, Rom 3:25, Matt 26:28.)

Resources

David Wilkinson: What Does The Blood Of Jesus Mean For Us Today?

Bob Yandian: Life In The Blood