Josh Kubler
In a recently released book, a prominent Protestant pastor describes the shedding of Christ’s blood as a metaphor, explaining that the first Christians “put the Jesus story in language their listeners would understand.” His intimation is that this idea of atonement through bloodshed was a pagan tradition, and it is unnecessary in our understanding of the Gospel.
My purpose is not to attack this individual or even his misguided belief, but to give a brief biblical explanation of the role of blood. In a time where songs about the blood of Christ are deemed too violent and talk of a bloody atonement is considered avoidable, we must come back to what Scripture says about blood. And make no mistake, the bible has an awful lot to say about it.
Sin was first atoned for through the shedding of blood; the account of the fall in Genesis 3 concludes with God covering the shame of Adam and Even with “garments of skin,” requiring the sacrifice of animals in the garden. There is no report of any form of death or bloodshed before this. Sin brought forth the necessity of atonement through the shedding of blood.
This theme continues through the sacrificial system established in the Old Testament. Buried deep within the set of laws and sacrifices in Leviticus is passage in chapter 17 forbidding the Israelites from eating blood. Within that passage, we find this verse: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” In literature, this is called “foreshadowing.” These words are related to the theme of the chapter, but there is clearly a bigger picture being alluded to.
That picture is of course the death of Christ. It was his blood that was given on the cross to make atonement for us, his blood that made atonement by his perfect life. The author of Hebrews explains that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins,” and Peter notes that Christ’s blood bought our freedom: “you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Paul notes in Ephesians 5 that we “who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” John writes in Revelation that Christ “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.”
It is impossible to separate the Gospel and the blood. This theme runs through the whole of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. If we’re going to preach the bible, we’ve got to preach the blood. If we’re going to proclaim the Gospel, we’ve got to proclaim the blood. If we’re going to sing about redemption, we must sing about the blood. This Sunday at Revision Church, we are singing one of my favorite hymns, “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.” I pray that we will recognize the importance of the blood, and its centrality in our message.
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my cleansing, this my plea
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Naught of good that I have done
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
AMEN!!!! I am so tired of wishy washy people that call themseves teacher and preachers. I thank you for this article. I thank Jesus for the Blood he shed for us all!!!