CHAPTER 1
THE BLOOD COVENANT
INTRODUCTION
Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice—1. as an offering—forsin. In Old Testament times animal sacrifices werecontinually offered at the temple. The sacrifices showedthe Israelites the seriousness of sin: blood had to be shedbefore sin could be pardoned. Animal blood could notreally remove sin. Only the blood sacrifice which pointedto Jesus Christ's sacrifice, which paid the penalty forsin. Animal sacrifice could not take away sin. It onlyprovided a temporary way to deal with sin until Christcame to deal with it permanently.
2. Old Testament believers followed God's command ofoffering sacrifices. He graciously forgave them when,by faith, they made their sacrifice. That practice lookedforward to the coming of Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Christ'sway was superior to the Old Testament way because theold way only pointed to what Christ would do to takeaway the sin of the world.
THE SERIOUSNESS OF BLOOD SACRIFICE
1. Christ's Sacrifice. Animal sacrifices were continuallyoffered at the temple. It showed the Israelites theseriousness of sin: blood had to be shed before sin couldbe pardoned. However, the animal blood could notremove sin. Only the blood sacrifice which pointed toChrist's sacrifice, which would pay the penalty for allsin. The animal sacrifices could not take away sins. Itonly provided a temporary way to deal with sin untilJesus came to deal with it permanently.
2. Old Testament Sacrifices. Old Testament believerswere following God's command of offering sacrificesof animal blood. God graciously forgave them when,because of the mercy and love He had for them whenthey made their sacrifice. That practice looked to Christ'sperfect sacrifice.
3. Living Sacrifice. As people of God, the Israelites were toreflect the nature and characteristics in their attitudesand actions, just as we are to do today. Jesus emphasizedthe importance of telling the truth. People werebreaking promises and using sacred language casuallyand carelessly. It is true that we live in a sinful societythat breeds distrust, but because of being the people ofGod in the household of faith, we are to be a sacrifice toGod through our Lord Jesus Christ as a living sacrifice.When we look at the reason why we are to be a livingsacrifice, it is because Christ has redeemed us from thecurse and become a curse so that we would have lifethrough him, not having to fear death any more.
4. The New Covenant. The new covenant rests directlyupon the sacrificial work of Christ, according to theHebrew writer the new covenant accomplished whatthe old could not do: which was the removal of sin andcleansing of the conscience. In the animal sacrifice thereis a remembrance again made of sin every year. For it isnot possible that the blood of bulls and of goats shouldtake away sin. It was said when Christ came into theworld, he said, sacrifice and offering you would not, buta body have you prepared.
5. The Body of Christ. Through the offering of the bodyof Jesus Christ once for all and every priest stands dailyministering and offering often times the same sacrifice,which can never take away sin: but this man, after hehad offered one sacrifice for sin forever, sat down on theright hand of God.
6. Redeemed From Slavery to Sin. So we are now redeemedfrom being slaves to sin. Christ's death paid the price torelease us from slavery to sin. Forgiveness was grantedin Old Testament times on the basis of the shedding ofanimals' blood. Now we are forgiven on the basis of theperfect and final sacrifice (Lev. 17:11). The life of the fleshis in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar tomake atonement for your soul: for it is the blood that makesan atonement for the soul.
UNDERSTANDING THE BLOOD COVENANT
1. The Bible's View of Sin and Forgiveness. To understandthis unusual covenant, we need to understand the Bible'sview of sin and forgiveness. God is the sovereign judgeof the universe. He is absolutely holy. As the holy judgeof all, He condemns sin and judges it worthy of death.
2. Blood Symbolized Both Death and Life. In the OldTestament God accepted the death of an animal asa substitute for the sinner. The animal's shed bloodwas proof that one life had been given for another. So,on the one hand, blood symbolized the death of theanimal, but it also symbolized the life that was sparedas a result.
3. A Temporary Provision. The death of the animal thatbrought forgiveness in the Old Testament was only atemporary provision, which was looking forward to thedeath of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 24:6, Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins,and the other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
OLD TESTAMENT RECORDS
1. Old Testament Prophets of God. The scriptures of theOld Testament were given by God through inspirationto holy men of old who spoke and wrote as the HolyGhost directed them. The Old Testament records areof great use and significance not only to those whofirst received them, even to Christians, who ought notto satisfy themselves with reading the institutes of theLeviticus law not only read it but learn also what theHoly Ghost signifies and suggests to them hereby.
2. The Holy Ghost. There are several things mentionedas things the Holy Ghost signified and certified to hispeople hereby. I say hereby. What I should say is peopleof today. Which was a figure for the time then present, inwhich were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could notmake him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to theconscience (Hebrews 9:9). That is, they could not takeaway the result,...