The Life-blood of Christ

Scripture: 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.  Leviticus 17:11 NIV

Observation: God is instructing Moses about the sacrifices in the tabernacle.

Application: “…the life of a creature is in the blood…”  I’ve often wondered why God demanded blood, demanded death to accomplish atonement. The tabernacle had to be a bloody place. Sacrifice had to be almost non-stop and “the lives of the creatures” must have flowed freely. I don’t know why God demanded the life-blood, but I believe that it stemmed from the time in the garden. Adam and Eve had life eternal and they corrupted it by choosing to defy God. I believe that in order to get back into a right relationship man’s “old self” was going to have to die off; life-blood was going to have to flow.  That, I believe, is why God began demanding blood sacrifice. Praise God that Christ has brought it full-circle for you and me. When he allowed himself to be savagely beaten and then crucified, he shed his life-blood for us, once and for all.  I don’t know why God demanded blood to atone for sin but I sure am grateful that Christ completed it for me.

Prayer: Father, I’m grateful that you gave us Christ as the last blood sacrifice that you demanded.  I know that I’m unworthy but I thank you for loving me anyway and making a way that I can come to you through Him. Amen

Doug