The Last Blood was Shed Today

On this Good Friday, I am sharing something that I learned this year from a Knowing Faith podcast that stuck with me. The point is a bit academic, but I think we can take some time to consider something more deeply on this sober day when our Savior shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins.

Until the death of Christ, rescue commonly came through blood and water. 

Example 1: The Hebrew nation’s rescue from Egyptian slavery

Blood: In the last of the plagues before Pharaoh let the enslaved Hebrews go, God promised that death would not occur in the household of any Hebrew family that had blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. For those that did not, the firstborn of each household was struck dead. Only then, did Pharaoh let God’s people go.

When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. (Exodus 12:23)

Water: As the Hebrew nation then fled immediately, God parted the Red Sea (water).

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. (Exodus 14:21-22)

Example 2: On Good Friday, Jesus spilled water and blood.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

Look what happened just a few verses later.

But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
(John 19:34)

This is the last time we see blood and water paired for spiritual rescue.

Rescue no longer comes from blood and water.

What rescues us from the consequences of our sin today does not include blood because Jesus already shed blood for us once and for all. This is what rescues us today! Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

No more bloodshed for us!

Unlike believers prior to Jesus, we don’t have to shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins by offering sacrifices. We now become a member of the family of God through natural birth (water) and spiritual birth (the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us.)

“It is finished.”

Since the moment Jesus spoke this final sentence and breathed his last on this somber day, there is nothing more to do for the forgiveness of our sins except to accept His gift of forgiveness. He shed the last blood that would ever need to be shed. 

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:4)

Picture Explanation: Just water and Spirit.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:1-3)

Speaking of how we are to respond to Christ’s death in our short life: If you are interested in being contacted to participate in a One Gritty Blink Bible study, click on the Oaks Ministries link below and send me an email so I can place you on a list to be contacted as online and face-to-face studies are planned. Let’s not just focus on things in this short life, but also what counts for eternity!

Note: No part of my posts are derived from A.I. Thoughts and writing stem from my mind and heart as I process life week-by-week and continue to grow in my understanding of God and how to apply His wisdom to the world around me.

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