THE BLOOD THAT SPEAKS
“You have come….to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:23, 24.
How amazing that blood has the power to speak! To the medical profession, it speaks volumes about the state of a patient’s health. How many diseases and conditions can a doctor diagnose through testing the blood; malfunctions of organs, infections and diseases in the body?
The loss of blood also speaks. Since the life is in the blood, life ebbs away when blood flows. Severe blood-loss is a medical emergency that calls loudly for attention.
The Bible singles out the blood of two individuals that speaks of matters of eternal significance. “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ …The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground…’ (Genesis 4:9, 10, NIV)
Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance and judgment from the ground. His life was violently taken from him by his brother, Cain, and God heard the voice of his blood and responded to its call. Cain had to bear the punishment for refusing to heed God’s warning (Genesis 4:6, 7). There is a constant cry for vengeance from the blood of every person that has been spilt on the ground.
But the blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. His blood was shed, not because He was an unwilling victim of crime, but because He willingly laid down His life for the sin of the world.
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:17, 18a, NIV).
He may have been condemned to death by Pilate; He may have been crucified by Roman soldiers but, without His willing sacrifice, no-one could not have taken His life from Him.
This blood speaks of many things.
Through the blood of Jesus we are declared not guilty: “We have been justified by His blood…” (Romans 5:9, NIV)
It speaks of redemption and forgiveness: “…In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins…” (Ephesians 1:7, NIV).
It speaks of atonement: “God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood…” (Romans 3:2, NIV).
His blood says that we have a new position: “But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far way, have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13, NIV).
Through His blood we have been reconciled to God: “…making peace through His blood shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:20, NIV).
His blood speaks victory over the enemy: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…” (Revelation 12:11, NIV). But the blood of Jesus will cry out for vengeance on those who have not received its message of mercy. His blood will never stop speaking.