by Pastor Wendall Ward
The Blood of Jesus is One of the Most Important Gifts
Hebrews 13:20–21: “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal
covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is
pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
No gift God has given us is more important than the blood of Jesus Christ. According to Hebrews 13, it is through his blood that God equips us for every good work. Yet many believers do not fully understand its power. And some churches no longer preach or sing about it as they once did. For that reason, it is worth reminding ourselves why the blood of Jesus is so important in our lives.
The Blood Gives Life
Leviticus 17:11 tells us that “the life of the flesh is in the blood.” That principle is true not only physically, but spiritually as well.
Physically, blood carries oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body. If blood flow is cut off, that part of the body begins to die. In the same way, any area of our lives cut off from the life of Christ becomes spiritually weak, lifeless, or barren.
Blood also removes waste and impurities from the body. Spiritually, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from the defilement of sin and keeps our lives from becoming corrupted.
In addition, the body is protected by blood-borne defenses that fight infection and disease. Likewise, when we stand in the power of Jesus’ blood, we find spiritual protection against the attacks of the enemy. There is life in the blood.
God Still Looks at the Blood
At Passover, God honored the blood that was applied by faith. In Exodus 12, the Israelites were told to kill a lamb and place its blood on the doorposts of their homes. When judgment passed through the land, every house marked by the blood was
spared. God looked at the blood, and his people were delivered.
That account also teaches an important lesson: the blood had to be applied. If it had remained in the basin, it would not have protected anyone. In the same way, it is not enough to know that Jesus shed his blood. We must personally receive and trust in what he has done.
God was not looking at the people’s achievements, zeal, or morality. He was looking at the blood. Leviticus 17:11 says that God gave blood upon the altar to make atonement for the soul. Throughout the Old Testament, sacrificial blood pointed forward to the perfect atonement that would come through Jesus Christ.
When To Remember the Blood
At the Lord’s Table, we remember and receive by faith what Christ accomplished through his body and blood. As Jesus said in Luke 22:20 and Matthew 26:28, the cup is the new covenant in his blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
In spiritual warfare, the blood is applied through faith-filled testimony and confession of God’s Word.
Against accusation: Revelation 12:10–11 teaches that believers overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Revelation 12:10-11… “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
For a cleansed conscience: 1 John 1:7–9 reminds us that when we walk in the light and confess our sins, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. In 1 John 1:7-9 we’re told, “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.”
The Blood Shed Must Become the Blood Applied
Just as the Passover blood had to be placed on the doorposts, the blood of Jesus must be personally applied by faith. It has already been shed for us. But its power is experienced in our lives as we believe, confess, and stand on what Christ has done.
Under the old covenant, blood was applied through ceremonial sprinkling.
Now under the new covenant, we apply the blood of Jesus by faith and confession. Romans 10:10 teaches that belief in the heart and confession with the mouth are connected to salvation and deliverance. When we declare what Jesus has done for us, we are expressing faith in the power of his sacrifice.
Examples of Applying the Blood by Faith
The blood of Jesus never loses its power, but its power is received by faith. We can apply it wherever God has given us responsibility, authority, or influence. Scripture gives several examples of what the blood of Jesus accomplishes in the life of a believer:
For healing: Isaiah 53:5 reminds us that by his wounds we are healed and made whole.
Protection: Exodus 12:13 points to God’s preserving power where the blood is present.
Our families: Job 1:4–5 shows the spiritual concern and intercession a parent can exercise on behalf of children.
Forgiveness: Hebrews 9:22 teaches that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
The Blood Applied To Our Spiritual Life
Spiritual life: John 6:53 emphasizes that true life is found in Christ.
Nearness to God: Ephesians 2:13 says that those who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
A clean conscience: Hebrews 9:14 teaches that the blood of Christ cleanses us inwardly so we can serve the living God.
Bold access to God: Hebrews 10:19 says that we can enter God’s presence with confidence through the blood of Jesus.
Sanctification and cleansing: Hebrews 13:12 and 1 John 1:7 declare that Jesus sanctifies and cleanses his people.
The Blood Applied For Victory
Victory over the enemy: Revelation 12:11 says that believers overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.
It Cleanses us. 1 Jn 1:7… “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”
Healing. 1 Pet 2:24…“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed”
It Enables us to overcome the evil one. Rev 12:11… “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”
The Blood Is Essential In Our Daily Walk With God
In the end, the blood of Jesus is not only central to our salvation. It is essential to our daily walk with God. The blood of Jesus gives life, brings cleansing, secures forgiveness, and empowers victory. As we remember it, trust in it, and apply it by faith, we live in the fullness of what Christ has provided for us.