Why do we talk so much about the blood of Jesus, even celebrate it? In this Luke 22:20 devotional, we’ll find out why Jesus’ blood is so important to us and why His sacrifice on the cross is the most important moment in human history.
Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
I grew up singing the song Nothing but the Blood of Jesus in church most Sundays. And I bet you did too. The lyrics of this song have a significant meaning to all Christians. It speaks to the power of the blood of Jesus. However, it’s not something I gave a lot of thought to until it was brought to my attention.
Recently, I was asked, “Why do you sing songs about the blood of Jesus in church? Isn’t it a little bit macabre to sing about blood?”
I admit, these questions jolted me out of my “Christian bubble”. It seems so normal to me to sing about the blood of Jesus. But it’s something we should think about and discuss in detail.
So, today I’d like to turn to the Word of God and take you through some of the blood of Jesus scriptures that shed meaning on the significance of the blood of Christ.
What does Luke 22:20 mean?
This cup is a new covenant in My blood, which was shed for you.
A few times each year we participate in the Lord’s Supper. Or if you’re Catholic you probably do it more often and call it Communion. Either way, it is the remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus.
In this Bible verse from Luke 22, Jesus commanded us to remember His sacrifice and the blood He shed for us on the cross through the Lord’s supper.
Because it’s by His blood sacrifice that we are redeemed and have victory over death.
But why do we need a blood sacrifice, to begin with?
Significance of Blood Sacrifice in the Old Testament
To understand the importance of the blood of Jesus, we need to look at the Old Testament covenant when people lived under the Law of Moses and made animal sacrifices . Through these sacrifices the sins of the people would be forgiven by God.
That may seem strange to us now, but it was God’s way and commonplace during this time period.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.
God has given blood a significant role to play in our lives, specifically the shedding of blood. It has the power to give us forgiveness of sins.
And before Jesus came to earth, people were required to sacrifice animals for this forgiveness or atonement.
But this old covenant redemption was only temporary, and another sacrifice was required to stay within the grace of God.
Importance of the Blood of Jesus
What does the blood of Jesus do for us? Why do we talk about it so much, even celebrate it? And why is His blood so important?
Because Blood = Life!
If there is no blood, then there is no life.
Just as it is true that without blood in our bodies, we will die physically, the same is true, that without a blood sacrifice, we will die spiritually.
But there is life in Jesus’ blood.
That’s why God sent Jesus to be our sacrifice. He died once and saved us from our sins permanently.
Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Saved by the Blood of Jesus
When Jesus died on the cross a new covenant between God and His people was formed. We no longer live under Old Testament law, and we no longer need to offer the blood of animals as a sacrifice for our sins.
Under the blood of Jesus and this new covenant, our salvation comes directly from the blood sacrifice of Jesus. And one drop of His blood has the power to save us eternally!
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Because Jesus is perfect, His sacrifice is also perfect. It doesn’t need to be repeated over and over again.
It is His selfless sacrifice on the cross that washes away our sin and gives us eternal life with Him.
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:28 ESV
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Hebrews 10:4 NKJV
Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:8-10 NKJV
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The Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
We were bought for a price. Not an earthy cost of silver or gold.
But with the precious blood of Christ Jesus.
He is the Lamb who was slain for us. Christ’s blood, His precious blood flowing over us cleanses us of all unrighteousness and redeems us of all sin and shame.
Because of His sacrifice, we can call ourselves children of God!
The Blood that Jesus Shed for Me
The blood that Jesus shed is the only way to salvation. And all you need to do to share in this redemption is…
First, believe Jesus is the Son of God.
Second, know He died for your sins.
And lastly, accept Him as your Savior.
He has already done the rest!
Here’s how the Bible Verse from 1 John explains it…
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If you are not a believer in Jesus, my prayer is for you to understand the sacrifice He made for your sins on the cross and see His great love for you today.
If want to know what the blood of Jesus can do in your life, or you have questions about what it means to accept Jesus as your Savior… please read “Accepting Jesus”.
You’ll find a list of scriptures that will answer your questions in this short devotional. I also encourage you to talk to a minister at a church in your area. I know they’ll be happy to explain anything I may have left out.
If you are saved, then I rejoice with you that you are redeemed. And your sins are forgiven and washed away by the blood of Jesus!
I pray you’ll be encouraged and uplifted today by this reminder of what the blood of Christ has done for you!
New Testament Bible Verses about the Power of the Blood of Christ
In the following verses, the Apostle Paul explains the redeeming power of the blood of Christ. The old system of forgiveness was over. And the new was ushered in.
And through these scriptures, we can see how the death of Jesus on the cross was always God’s plan for the redemption of mankind.
But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
Hebrews 9:7 NIV
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
Hebrews 9:11 NKJV
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Hebrews 9:14 ESV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:19-20 ESV
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22 NIV
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV
The Blood of the Lamb
The power of Christ’s blood still redeems today!
And the mention of blood in the book of Revelation and John’s gospel shows us that the blood of Jesus will continue to be the most important sacrifice ever offered until the end of time.
answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:14 NIV
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Revelation 12:11 ESV
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Revelation 5:9 NIV
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
John 6:54 NIV
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29 NKJV
7 Benefits of the Blood of Jesus
- Forgiveness of Sins – The blood of Jesus washes away our sins, offering complete forgiveness and a fresh start.
- Redemption – We’re redeemed, bought back from the power of sin, through His sacrificial blood.
- Cleansing – The blood of Christ purifies our hearts, making us clean in the eyes of God.
- Justification – Through His blood, we’re declared righteous, as if we had never sinned.
- Peace with God – The blood of Jesus brings reconciliation, restoring our relationship with God.
- Protection – Just as the blood protected the Israelites during Passover, Jesus’ blood shields us from spiritual harm.
- Access to God’s Presence – We can boldly approach the throne of grace because His blood has opened the way for us to be near to God.
God’s Hand in the Blood of His Son
When we talk about the blood of His Son, we’re seeing God’s hand at work in the most powerful way. Through Jesus, God made a way for us to experience His love, His forgiveness, and His eternal promises. It’s amazing to think that the blood of Jesus speaks of better things like hope, grace, and a future filled with God’s presence. And it’s the Holy Spirit who helps us understand just how deep this love goes, guiding us closer to our Savior and the incredible gift He gave through His blood.
Through the shedding of His blood on the cross of Calvary, Jesus made a way for us to have remission of sin. And because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can have grace, the free gift of God that only comes from accepting God’s Son as our Savior.
I pray you have learned the significance of the blood of Jesus in this short Bible Study. And that you will give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and have eternal life in Him today!
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