I grew up in church and we always sang hymns about “the blood”. There were some basics I knew, that were drilled into me by church theology. Don’t get me wrong, they were things that I needed to know and I am glad that I was exposed to it at such a young age or so much talk of blood may have creeped me out a bit.
As I was reading in Hebrews today, I had a new revelation of what the blood actually did. You see I knew the blood was shed so that I could be saved, it covered my sins. I knew the blood was shed for my healing, by His stripes we were healed. However let me share with you what I DIDN’T know, that made the shedding of Jesus’s blood so much more precious and vital to me.
I am going to spare you by not posting an entire chapter of scripture into this, but please take the time to check out Hebrews 9 (message version). This chapter tells of how under the OLD COVENANT forginess of sin and how coming into the presence of God was laid out. There is an outer court, the inner court, a tent, then a holy of holies, bread to eat, a sacrifice to make, ect..
However This scripture right here, changed things for me!
16-17 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus’ death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way.
18-22 Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion. After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law—God’s “will”—he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries. And then he attested its validity with the words, “This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God.” He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. Moses said to the people, “This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you.” Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That’s why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins.
We as modern day Christians tend to take the presence of God and His Holy Spirit for granted. Under the old law I would have never had access to HIM. EVER! First I am not Jewish and that alone would have disqualified me. Second, I am female. There were not female high priests that were allowed in the Holy of Holy’s. Lastly, Well I am not (by blood) of the priest bloodline. I mean come on! That’s 3 strikes! NO WAY IN! The only access “normal people” had to God was THROUGH someone else. Through a prophet or priest. Sins forgiven through a sacrifice made for them.
When Christ came and made that sacrifice for me, He SHATTERED all those “prerequisites” that kept me out. HIS BLOOD legally enforced and established the privilege of having access to God and His presence. You really don’t realize the the privileges you have until they are taken away! Think about it, all those awesome worship services, encounters with God, where the Holy Spirit moves and ministers to you….gone. and not gone because you are choosing not to be there or your to busy and it’s not a priority. GONE because you don’t have access to it, it’s not available to “your kind”. WOW!
All of the things I learned in church about the blood is great. But if I had “to do” something to have my sins washed away, i would(but I’m glad I don’t). If I healing was never an option I had, it would be ok (but I’m glad it is!). BUT to NEVER get to experience His presence?!? That my friend would be unfathomable! I could handle the other stuff as long as I had Him. I am so thankful for ALL that comes with the blood, especially His presence.
So, I urge you. If you haven’t taken the time to be in your Father’s presence, if you have taken it for granted, or just not really absorbed the depth of the privilege it truly is, DO SO. Thank Him for it and don’t take it for granted another moment!
I thank you Lord for your blood that established a new covenant with me, for me. Allowing me access to you TODAY, this moment. Never let me take for granted the honor of being in your presence, or the grace of your blood that covers my sins and allows me access to the Father! Thank you for no longer dividing me from your presence but allowing it to infiltrate my heart and entire life! Thank you for being the final sacrifice and allowing your blood to once and for all SEAL THE DEAL!