THE CROSS OF CHRIST - 4

THE BLOOD THAT REDEEMED US IS NOT LIQUID

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” Ephesians 1:7

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:14

Sometime ago, I stumbled on a book about the gospel written by a notable Nigerian pastor and teacher. In it was the answer to a ancient question on redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ which I have been working on for a very longtime. What I have discovered form the book was not new to me though, but was a confirmation and the subject was more meaningful to me than before.

That the redemption of mankind came through the blood of Jesus Christ is known to almost every believer.

But it is important that we know the dynamics of how we were purchased by it.

See what Paul the apostle wrote to the Ephesians and Colossian churches, two matured churches during his time. He said we (believers) have redemption already and that this redemption came through the blood of Christ and the redemption was possible because the blood was the payment which was necessary for the forgiveness of sins.

The “blood” in the bible was used to designate the unity of mankind, human nature, the essence of life and atonement among all. The “blood” was also figuratively used for sin and guilt in some areas of the OT.

But the blood of Christ was described as innocent, precious, necessary, sufficient, final, cleansing and conquering. It is what was used to remit our sins.

Let’s get this clear: there is no blood greater than the blood of Jesus Christ.  

The blood of Jesus Christ is more than a liquid flow. The liquid flow of blood was just a symbol. The blood of Jesus is a spirit, it is Jesus himself.

Now follow closely, I have not said that the liquid red blood that gushed out of the body of Jesus during his crucifixion is not his blood, neither did I say that his blood cannot be seen. However, we need to know that since Christ is a spirit; his blood must necessarily be a spirit!

The man who spilled blood at different stages in before ending at Calvary is Jesus, the sinner. The blood that redeemed us all is the blood of Christ, the risen one.

God is a spirit, Christ (the word) is also a spirit, and then the blood of Jesus Christ which redeemed us all must be a spirit.

Ok see this scripture first…

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit OFFERED HIMSELF without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14

Oh! So the blood of Christ offered himself? A liquid flow cannot offer “himself”, and the word “himself” is a word used for a person not for a substance.

This is because the blood like I said before is a symbol - the essence of life. The life of a man is in his blood. The blood of man can then be said to speak or perform an action. That was why the bible said the blood of Abel spoke, and that the blood of Christ speaks better than that of Abel.

What is it with the blood speaking of a thing and offering of “himself” used for the blood?

This is because the blood is actually the spirit and life of the person.

It was when Abel died that God said the blood of Abel cried unto him, the blood of Abel is the spirit of Abel. A liquid blood spilled cannot cry! A liquid blood cannot speak!

The same thing happened to Jesus Christ. His blood is a spirit, HE IS HIS BLOOD! Yes, Jesus Christ is the Blood that redeemed us. The word “shedding” was used in some verses that talks about redemption because it is the only verb that can describe the action of the blood.

Jesus is the blood. That is, the part of him that was offered on the altar of sacrifice is the blood. The part of him that was given to God forever as an evidence for our payment for the wages of sin is the blood.

The blood of Jesus Christ that redeemed you and I is Christ Jesus himself, who offered himself after his resurrection in the heavenly altar, and there he is forever. The writer of Hebrews said THE BLOOD SAT DOWN THERE FOREVER! Kayaaa!

The blood is not going anywhere! It is a one and a forever thing! The blood is alive! The blood speaks every minute, every second! The blood does not dry up! If it were to be a liquid blood, it would have dried up! If it had been a sinner’s blood, it wouldn’t have even had a mouth, let alone to speak!

The blood of Jesus Christ which was used to purchase our redemption is Jesus’ himself whom went into the heavens to offer himself on the altar. The whole event was recorded in the book of Hebrews.

Still in doubt? Let me clear your unbelief completely.

Ask yourself, which blood among the blood of Jesus spilled gave us redemption?

Was it the blood that was shed when he was beaten with the Roman whip?

Or the blood that was shed when he was crowned with thorns?

Or the blood that was shed when he was nailed in his hands and legs?

Or the blood that was shed when he was pierced on his body?

NONE OF THESE IS THE BLOOD THAT WAS OFFERED FOR THE SACRIFRICE OF OUR SINS! None!

Remember that as at those times, he had been made SIN! Jesus had become a sinner for us when he was shedding those liquid bloods. The spirit of God left him in the garden of Gethsemane, and he was made to drink the cup which was symbolic of the sins of the world. So Jesus Christ became a sinner in the Garden of Eden, there he lost the Holy Spirit. Remember how he said “My God, My God, why have thou forsaken me …?   He was forsaken means the Holy Spirit left him, there he became a sin for us.

So that blood he was shedding from the time he was lashed to the time he was pierced has nothing to do with the redemption of humanity.

The blood that matters, and that redeemed you and I is the blood that was offered – that sat down majestically on the altar in the heavens forever!

The blood of Jesus is the resurrected Jesus! He is the lamb! He is also the Blood!

That was why he cautioned Mary Magdalene that day not to touch him, because he has not yet ascended to the father! Why does he need to ascend? To offer himself as the sacrifice ONCE AND FOR EVER!

Oh so you thought, Jesus went there to tell stories of how the Jews mocked him or what?

Or you thought he was provided with a very big calabash where he carried some 10million litters of blood (since it is for the whole world, the blood must be very much)? And then he carried the calabash to offer in one t-junction in heaven? Is he an herbalist? Oh no sorry!

Jesus offered himself – he is the blood! No liquid substance was offered in heaven!

Amen?

God bless you!

Philip Oklu

+234(0)8137579913

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ALL YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, ETERNALLY.