Blood That Speaks
On the night He was betrayed Jesus told His disciples that they were drinking the cup of the covenant. “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 bibrefmatthew26 bibrefmatthew26v28). The author of Hebrews described Jesus as “the mediator of a new covenant” with “sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24 bibrefhebrews12 bibrefhebrews12v24). We still drink and His blood still speaks.
Jesus’ blood speaks the cost of sin. Those who sin deserve death (Romans 6:23 bibrefromans6 bibrefromans6v23). Only a blood sacrifice will suffice to satisfy the just requirements of God. “Not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood” (Hebrews 9:18 bibrefhebrews9 bibrefhebrews9v18) because blood is the price for our rebellion.
His blood speak’s God’s promise and God’s faithfulness. The law could not forgive anyone. God gave the law to show disobedience and He also gave His word to deal with men’s sin. So by “the blood of the eternal covenant” (Hebrews 13:20 bibrefhebrews13 bibrefhebrews13v20), a covenant intended to cleanse from uncleanness (Ezekiel 36:25-27 bibrefezekiel36 bibrefezekiel36v25 bibrefezekiel36v26 bibrefezekiel36v27), God fulfills His Word.
His blood speaks forgiveness and sanctification. God’s promise was to pay the cost of sin Himself so that we would not have to die. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22 bibrefhebrews9 bibrefhebrews9v22). So “Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood” (Hebrews 13:12 bibrefhebrews13 bibrefhebrews13v12). Jesus’ death purchased our justification and purification.
So His blood speaks heavenly life. The Son enables us to come into His Father’s presence, to enjoy heavenly fellowship with the festive angels, heaven’s members, the spirits of the righteous made perfect (Hebrews 12:22-24 bibrefhebrews12 bibrefhebrews12v22 bibrefhebrews12v23 bibrefhebrews12v24). That is our hope as well, and it is due to the power in Jesus’ blood.