Why the Blood? Why the Blood of Jesus?
A Novel of Redemption and Atonement
Introduction: The Blood That Speaks
From the earliest days of mankind’s relationship with God, blood has played a crucial role in atonement and reconciliation. The Old Testament sacrificial system, established by God, revealed that blood was not just a physical substance but the very life force of a creature. As Leviticus 17:11 declares, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
Throughout generations, the shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. Many communities have upheld this belief through their own sacrificial rituals. When a son, in a moment of weakness, defiles his father’s wife, elders gather to cleanse the land. A sheep, innocent and blameless, is chosen—its throat slit, its blood poured upon the ground. When a father’s darkness descends upon his own child, breaking the sacred bond of trust, the elders demand a sacrifice to drive away the curse. They believe that the spilling of blood will restore purity.
But could the blood of animals truly cleanse the soul? Could it undo the weight of sin?
Chapter 1: The Inadequacy of the Old Sacrifices
For centuries, the Israelites faithfully followed the laws of sacrifice. Each year, the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place, offering the blood of bulls and goats to atone for the people’s sins. But these sacrifices were never enough. The people continued to sin, and the rituals had to be repeated—over and over again.
Hebrews 10:1-4 explains the insufficiency of these sacrifices:
“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”
Animal sacrifices were temporary. They could cover sins but never remove them. Each drop of blood spilled on the altar was merely a reminder of man’s fallen nature.
Chapter 2: A World Corrupted by Sin
When Adam and Eve fell in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world. The perfect relationship between God and man was broken. Man’s heart became corrupt, and creation itself groaned under the weight of sin. Death, pain, and suffering became part of existence.
God, in His holiness, required justice. Sin demanded death. But there was nothing in the world that could permanently satisfy the debt of sin. No sacrifice was pure enough. No offering was worthy.
Chapter 3: The Lamb of God
God saw that no man, no animal, no earthly offering could fully take away sin. That is why He provided a perfect sacrifice—His own Son, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:4 affirms, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” But the blood of Jesus was different. It was divine. It was powerful.
Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God, given as a once-for-all sacrifice. His blood did not merely cover sin—it washed it away completely.
On the cross, Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). His sacrifice fulfilled the entire Old Testament system. The curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing that mankind no longer needed an earthly priest to stand between them and God. Jesus became the ultimate High Priest, offering His own blood as the final atonement for sins.
Chapter 4: Redemption Through Faith
Though the price for sin was paid, it is only through faith that a person can receive this gift of salvation. Romans 10:9 declares, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Salvation is not earned by good deeds, nor can it be bought with sacrifices. It is a free gift of grace, received through sincere faith in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 5: Cleansing and New Life
Sin leaves a stain that no earthly effort can wash away. But the blood of Jesus purifies the soul. When a person confesses their sins, God is faithful to forgive. As 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
No matter how deep the sin, no matter how broken the past, the blood of Jesus has the power to make all things new.
Chapter 6: An Invitation to Freedom
To those who have never surrendered their lives to Christ, the invitation remains open. God is calling you into His love, His grace, and His eternal salvation.
If you accept Jesus Christ today, you will be free from the chains of sin. 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Jesus Himself promised in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Conclusion: The Power of the Blood
Why the blood? Because life is in the blood. Why the blood of Jesus? Because only His blood can give eternal life.
Today, you stand at a crossroads. The blood has been shed. The sacrifice has been made. Will you accept the gift of salvation?
Jesus is calling. Come and be washed in the blood that makes all things new.