by Calvin Burrell

When Scripture speaks of Jesus’ blood, it means His atoning death for the world’s sin. Neither the rugged stake where Jesus died nor the red blood He shed there has mystical or magical quality in itself. Christ and the sacrifice He made by His blood on the cross, however, have unlimited power that’s available to whosoever will. By the blood of Jesus . . .

• our sins have been covered, and we are washed (Romans 3:25; 1 John 1:7);
• we have peace with God and stand right with Him (Romans 5:9; Colossians 1:20);
• the church has been purchased with a precious price, and we’ve been redeemed from our greatest adversary (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Revelation 12:11).

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Blood Speaks

Here’s a curious verse: Jesus’ blood of sprinkling in the new covenant “speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24, NKJV).

What’s this all about?

Abel was the good guy murdered by his brother Cain in cold blood, according to Genesis 4. The Lord told Cain that the voice of his brother’s blood cried out from the ground, and God heard it (v. 10). What do you suppose Abel’s voice cried for? For justice and vengeance, most likely.

Jesus was the “God guy” murdered by His brethren, according to the four Gospels. God in heaven has heard the blood of Christ speaking from the earth, speaking better things than the blood of Abel. And what does Jesus’ blood speak? Mercy, pardon, and peace — most assuredly!
Calvin Burrell, former editor of the Bible Advocate, lives in Stayton, OR