Christians-Today Ministry

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV): But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Often you will hear Christians talking about “The Blood of Jesus” or “The Blood of the Lamb”; and some of you may not fully understand what it is that they are referring to. You see, human beings are creatures that are sinful by nature, and there is only one way in which we can be reconciled to God; and that is by our sins being washed clean by the Blood of Jesus (sometimes referred to as the Blood of the Lamb). If you do not understand what this means, then I am sure that it may sound a bit far-fetched, considering the color of blood. However, in the Kingdom of God, it is only by blood that one’s sins can be washed white as snow. It is only by the Blood of Jesus that we can be forgiven of our sins and be freed from our guilt as sinners. It is only by the blood of Jesus that we are able to be reconciled to God, and dwell with Him in Heaven forever. Here is what 1 John says about The Blood of Jesus:

1 John 1:5-10 ~ Walking in the Light

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 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, His Son, purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.

The History of “The Blood”

Adam and Eve were the first  to introduce sin into God’s perfect and sinless world. It was in the Garden of Eden that Eve first disobeyed God and caused her husband Adam to sin as well. After this, God banished them both from the garden; and because they had eaten from the forbidden Tree of Life, they would surely die instead of spending eternity with God (Genesis 2:4 – Genesis 3).

In the days of Noah and after the flood, burnt offerings were offered up to God at the altar (Genesis 8:15-22), and this pleased God very much. Years later, but not long after the mass exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, Leviticus 17 tells us that the Israelites were instructed to provide burnt offerings at the altar for atonement (forgiveness) of their sins. Here is what it says in Leviticus 17:10-14:

Leviticus 17:10-14 (New International Version)
10 ” ‘Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood—I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people. 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. 12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may an alien living among you eat blood.”

13 ” ‘Any Israelite or any alien living among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”

It is in the book of Exodus that God spoke to Moses about redemption (Exodus 40). God redeemed his people from bondage in Egypt with His mighty hand, in order to fulfill the oath that he had sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. At Mount Sinai, the covenant was established and the Law of Moses (as we now know it), was given. It was at this time that God commanded Moses to build a tabernacle to be His dwelling place in the midst of His people.

And so it was, for God to accept their sin offering (sins that were against the laws and decrees that God had commanded for the people of Israel), the Israelites were instructed to follow certain rituals and traditions (The Sin Offering ~ Leviticus 4).  In order for sins to be forgiven, the shedding of blood is an absolute requirement. Because of the sinful actions or thoughts that the Israelites had committed each year, an atonement for those sins was needed. There were more than 600 commandments that the Israelites were supposed to keep, but keeping them was impossible for them to do. Therefore, it was the High Priest who made the sacrifice on their behalf each year. The High Priest would then sacrifice a pure, spotless lamb without blemish, and it was to be slain and offered unto the Lord so that the people could be forgiven of their sins.

The Final Sacrifice ~ The Blood of Jesus

In His mercy, because God knew that it would be impossible for any human to keep ALL of the commandments of God, it was through the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6-7), that God foretold of The One who would eventually come; The One who would become the final sacrifice for the remission of all sin, on our behalf (Isaiah 53). Yes, it was Jesus Christ, The One who Isaiah foretold would come to take away the sins of the world. It is only by the blood of Jesus Christ that we can be forgiven of our sins; and it is only by His blood that we are able to be reconciled to God.

How You Too Can Accept Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior

WATCH: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus…

I have often wondered while watching the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season (now only politically correct if called the “Holiday Season”), whether all those people scrambling to get Christmas gifts really understand why we even celebrate Christmas. If you were to ask a group of people what the true meaning of Christmas is, I am sure to bet that you won’t get just one answer.

If only people could understand “why” we celebrate Christmas, then I don’t think that they would spend so much time stressing over Christmas gifts. Christmas should be a joyous occasion filled with love, peace, hope, hospitality and good will. But unfortunately, I don’t see that in the world too much these days. So you may be asking, “What is the True Meaning of Christmas”, and here I will enlighten you, so that you may know the truth of God’s Everlasting Love.

Before God created Adam and Eve, He created the Earth and all that was in it. Then He created Adam and Eve. Even before Eve sinned by eating fruit from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden, God knew she was going to do it. Sin did not exist in the Garden, but He knew that she would sin and was prepared to deal with it. In order for a human to be forgiven for a sin, a blood sacrifice must be made to God. Thus began the sacrificing of animals to God at the alter. Throughout Biblical times, the prophets of the Old Testament spoke of the One who would come, the one who would be the ultimate sacrifice that would pay the price for all sins, and no longer would it be necessary to sacrifice an animal for the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 3:21-26 says:

21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

You see, Jesus was born to be that sacrifice. A sacrifice that would forever be the atonement for our sins. He was the Sacrificial Lamb who took away the sins of the world. There is one catch though, you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you must believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God who died for your sins and you must repent and turn away from your sins. Don’t you know the TRUTH when you see  or hear it? Won’t you ask Him into your heart today?

So you see, that little baby who was born in a manger to the Virgin Mary more than 2000 years ago, is the Son of God and the living sacrifice who will be your only chance at salvation. Christmas isn’t only about giving and receiving presents, it is about celebrating the birthday of the one who will give you everlasting life, your salvation – and to me, that is the GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!

Merry Christmas to You and Yours.

CLICK HERE: Prayer of Salvation ~ Ask Jesus Into Your Heart

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