Today's Reading:

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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  

“For I am the Lord your God” is the call to holiness theme that is repeated throughout Scripture. God’s laws are to set Israel apart. He prohibited eating the blood, whether from animals as food or for sacrifice. Blood was not just a body fluid; it was life itself. In Hebrew, “life” and later “soul” is nephesh, which means essence of life. When blood was shed, life was given up and terminated.   

God said He, Himself, appointed (gave) the blood to be used on the altar for one purpose- atonement. In Hebrew, that is kaphar, which means to cover. Cover our sin so it does not bring judgment and , in turn, brings reconnection to God.  

Sin was equal to death. To atone/cover sin then another life must be given in its place. The innocent animals' life was substituted, and their blood, which carried life, was poured out on the altar, visible to the people as the substitution. No shedding of blood meant sin was not covered, therefore no atonement. Think of the sheer scale of blood poured out at the altar for the number of Israelites and their sins. There were 603,550 men of fighting age- now add in women, children , and others- well over 1 million people during the wilderness period. The altar would have constantly been active with blood rituals- some sprinkled on the sides and the rest poured out at the base. There were daily offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings, peace offerings, festivals with offerings, individual offerings , and so forth , including bulls, lambs, goats, and more. The amount of ash in the air and the blood that was spilt would have been a day in and day out reminder of the gravity of sin. Each drop poured out was symbolic of God’s grace.   

Jesus is the perfect substitute- His blood poured out to cover us permanently. Hebrews 9:22 “Without the shedding of blood there is not forgiveness.” Once and for all, completely necessary, Jesus shed His blood for each and every one of us. When was the last time you truly sat down and actually thanked God for the shedding of Jesus’ blood- for your life to continue? We get to have a relationship with God the Father because of God the Son’s blood, spilt for our forgiveness. Thank you, Lord.   

Maybe listen again to the lyrics of “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” by Charity Gayle:  

Here is an excerpt from the song with a few lyrics highlighted that reflect today’s message. 

 …And there at the cross You paid the debt I owe 
Broke my chains, freed my soul, for the first time I had hope 

Thank You Jesus, for the blood applied 
Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white 
Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life 
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light 

 For I have been transformed by the blood of the Lamb 

Thank You Jesus, for the blood applied (thank You, Jesus) 
Thank You Jesus, it has washed me white 
Thank You Jesus, You have saved my life 
Brought me from the darkness into glorious light 

There is nothing stronger 
Than the wonder working power of the blood, the blood 
That calls us sons and daughters 
We are ransomed by our Father through the blood, the blood 
 
“Thank You Jesus for the Blood” 
Words & Music by Charity Gayle 
© Charity Gayle 
Used by excerpt for devotional and educational purposes in accordance with fair use. 
All rights belong to the original copyright holder. 

Today's discussion question: 

Imagine the altar never stopped running with blood, and how blood meant life to the Israelites, and that they saw it poured out every single day. Jesus was the perfect substitute. When you hear “the blood of Jesus,” does it feel powerful, uncomfortable, symbolic, or distant? Why do you think that is?

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