Under the law, everything was sanctified with blood; priests and people, tabernacle and furniture, the book of the covenant, and even the mercy-seat. Blood was constantly kept before the eyes of the people; and in reference to access to God, acceptance with God, or obtaining blessings from God — the law said, "Not without blood."
When the blood of Jesus was shed — no more blood was required: God was satisfied. But all our privileges, blessings, and enjoyments — now come to us through blood — the precious blood of Jesus. Are we redeemed? It is through the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Are we justified? It is by His blood. Have we peace? It is through His blood. Let us look at a few particulars, and see the value and use of the blood.
There is no atonement without blood, for "it is the blood which makes atonement for the soul." The blood of Jesus alone could atone for sin. That met the Divine requirements, that honored the Divine government, that laid a foundation on which God and man could meet and be friends. We are reconciled to God — by the death of His Son. We have peace with God — by "faith in His blood." The blood of Jesus made a full, perfect, and everlasting atonement for all sin; that whoever believes may not perish — but have everlasting life.
There is no pardon without blood. We have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of our sins; but, without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. God's justice must be satisfied before His grace can be exercised toward sinners; and thus God is just, while He is the justifier of him who believes in Jesus. Through the blood, anyone may obtain pardon, for nothing is easier, nothing is more pleasant to God, than to pardon sinners for the sake of Jesus; hence it is written, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." But while God pardons every sinner who applies for pardon through the blood of Jesus — he will not pardon in any other way; for no blood — no pardon; no pleading the blood — no enjoyment of pardon.
There is no reconciliation to God without blood. Jesus has made peace through the blood of His cross; and it is at the cross, and at the cross alone — that God will meet sinners, and receive them into His favor and friendship. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself; and it is through the blood of Jesus — that He manifests His pity, compassion, and infinite love now; and it is the manifestation of His pity, compassion, and love — which breaks our hearts, produces evangelical repentance, fills us with holy love, and so reconciles us to God's character, perfections, and government.
There is no access to God without blood. The way to the mercy-seat was sprinkled with blood, and the blood in the basin was carried in the hand of the priest when he went into the holiest; so that the first thing that the eye of God saw, was the blood, and on account of that, he accepted both priest and people. It is through Jesus — Jesus as the slain Lamb — that we, both Jews and Gentiles, have access by one Spirit unto the Father. The new and living way into the holiest is consecrated for us by the blood of our great High Priest, and we have now access with confidence by the faith of Him.
There is no subduing sin without blood. Unpardoned sin is unconquered sin; for we can never subdue sin, unless it is brought into contact with the blood of Christ. If the weeds of sin fade and die — it is because the blood of Jesus is laid at the roots. The more we exercise faith in the blood of Jesus — the more power we gain over our corruptions, and the more easily we overcome our evil propensities.
There is no cleansing from sin without blood. Guilt will adhere to the conscience, torment the spirit, confuse the judgment, and produce a thousand horrid fears — until the blood of Jesus is sprinkled upon it. But if we walk in the light, as our God is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. All sin — every sin — every stain — every trace of sin! Thus the blood of Christ purges our consciences from dead works, to serve the living and the true God. Precious, precious blood of Jesus!
There is no conquering Satan without blood. He cares not for our reasonings. He laughs at many of our feeble attempts to conquer him. But the blood of Jesus makes him tremble and flee before us. Hence it is written of the tempted and persecuted saints of old, that though the old serpent the Devil deceived the whole world — "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives unto the death." Satan will surely flee before us, if we resist him steadfast in the faith; steadfastly believing in the infinite virtue and everlasting efficacy of the blood of Jesus.
There is no walking with God without blood. No criminal can be permitted to enjoy the friendship and fellowship of the Sovereign; and such are we, until the blood is apprehended by us, and applied to us. If I would come to God, enjoy peace with God, realize acceptance before God, and hold close and intimate communion with God — it must be through the blood of His dear Son! I must therefore daily use the blood, washing my robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb.
There is no peace in death without blood. Death dissipates a thousand vain imaginations, destroys a thousand false refuges, and strips off a thousand false coverings. Many have found that what did for health and ease — will not do for sickness and death. Nothing but the blood of Christ, at the root of our profession, as the ground of our hope, as our plea at the throne of grace — will give us peace in the hour of death. But if we see the worth and excellency of the blood of Jesus, if we rely on it alone for our acceptance with God, if we oppose it to our sins, doubts, and fears — there will be peace; solid, settled, substantial peace. There is no admission to heaven — without blood!
Our title-deeds must be signed with blood, or our claim to the heavenly mansions will not be admitted. We go to heaven — because Jesus left it, came to earth, and died to entitle us to it; and if we attempt to go on any other grounds, we shall be rejected and eternally expelled. No blood — no heaven. The priest dared not enter the holiest of all, which typified heaven, without blood; nor shall we be allowed to pass over the threshold of the celestial city — without the blood of Jesus on us.
Finally, no boldness at the judgment, without blood. This alone will blot out our sins, justify our persons, meet all the demands made upon us, and silence every accuser who rises up against us. Only the blood of Jesus will do all this! For ten thousand worlds, I would not meet God in judgment — without the blood of Jesus. But if His blood . . .
satisfies justice,
magnifies the law,
harmonizes the Divine attributes,
blots out all my sins,
justifies my person,
cleanses my garments,
silences all my accusers, and
brings the greatest possible glory to God by my salvation
— why should I fear the judgment? Shall I not boldly face it, and with everlasting joy rejoice in my acquittal at it? Precious blood of Jesus! I will seek grace to have more to do with You, to exercise more confidence in You, and to speak more of You than ever I have done!
There must be blood on the altar — where we place our sacrifices.
There must be blood on that mercy-seat — where we offer our prayers.
There must be blood on the conscience — when it passes its verdict.
For, except this is the case . . .
our sacrifices will not be accepted,
our prayers will not be heard, and
our consciences will condemn us.
In reference therefore to every duty I perform, every privilege I enjoy, every prospect I anticipate — I will say, "Not without blood!"
In reference to every hope I cherish, every blessing I desire, every conquest I seek — I will say, "Not without blood!"
I will expect no peace of conscience,
no joy in the Holy Spirit,
no success in my work,
no admission into heaven,
without blood!
But for all I ask of God, for all I desire in time, and all I hope for in eternity — I will plead the blood of Jesus, and the blood of Jesus alone! No blood — no pardon!
No blood — no peace!
No blood — no vigorous graces!
No blood — no salvation!
For all religion is delusion,
all faith is presumptuous,
all joys are deceptions —
which do not spring from, or which are not sustained by, the blood of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world!
