Ephesians 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. (NIV)

It is through His blood that we have redemption.

The symbol of life for Christians is Jesus crucified, which Scripture says by the time it was all finished, He was not even recognizable as human. His death and resurrection are celebrated as the pathway of eternal life for all who believe.

First, we must recognize God as Creator. As Creator, He has put the life of every creature into its blood to allow for the atonement of sin.

Leviticus 17:11
¹¹ 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. (NIV)

Second, we must recognize God as the Judge of Humanity. As Judge, He has the autonomy to decide the punishment for sin and any leniencies that He decides on. And He has decided to allow the sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament, which only foreshadowed the sacrifice of Christ in the New Testament to provide atonement.

As Judge, God has decided that the punishment for sin is death. Also, as Judge, He provides leniency by allowing atonement. The atonement is life for life. Because the punishment for sin is death, he must demand death to remain a just God. However, in His mercy, He allows an innocent life to be sacrificed instead of the one who has committed the sin. When the blood of the innocent is spilled out, it symbolizes the exchange between the innocent and guilty lives. It is God’s prerogative to address sin and judgment as He chooses. He is Creator and God.

In the Old Testament, the Lord allowed for sacrificial blood exchanges to make amends for the sin of the people so long as the sacrificial animals were without defect. Christ was perfectly sinless. He was without defect. He was purely innocent of any sin. Had God not been willing to send His only Son to be a sacrifice, we would all be condemned to eternal death in Hell. But through His blood, we have redemption.

Prayer: Lord, I recognize the only hope I had to escape the punishment of my sin is Jesus crucified. His death gives me life. In Him alone, we find redemption. Thank you, Jesus, for giving your life for mine. Amen.