Although I have answered the question scores of times, I find myself asking the exact same question. It is not because I do not believe my answer. Rather, it is because I need to hear the answer again and again in my life. The question usually arises when, reading through the Bible from cover to cover, the reader comes to Leviticus and its 27 chapters. The question: Why all the blood and the bloody details about the blood of the sacrifices?
The word ‘blood’ is used 78 times in Leviticus. And around these 78 occurrences, we have vivid and graphic details provided about what is to be done with the blood. Among the more graphic is the use of blood in the ordination of Aaron and his sons. Under the direction of the Lord, Moses took blood from the sacrificed animal and put some on the right ear, the thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot on Aaron and each son being ordained to the priesthood. Then he sprinkled some blood on each side of the altar.
The answer to “why all the blood” is supplied by keeping in mind the central figure of each and every book of the Bible: Jesus! Every mention of the blood of animals used in sacrifice, as prescribed by God, is a picture and a prophecy of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross. There is another phrase, used 18 times, in Leviticus that focuses even more on the shedding of blood. It is a phrase employed to describe what kind of animals were to be used for sacrifice and offering: without defect. We are “with defect,” or to say it another way, “with sin.” If you and I were without defect or without sin, no sacrifice would be necessary. That, however, is not the case, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Jesus is without defect, without sin. Therefore, He who knew no sin could become sin for us (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). By the way, lest we think the New Testament to be a little less bloody than Leviticus, be reminded that the blood of Christ is mentioned 42 times. It remains central in the New Testament because it is central to the Gospel and central to our salvation.
- In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace… Ephesians 1:7
- But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! Romans 5:8,9
- How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14
- For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18,19
In the book The Cross Centered Life, C. J. Mahaney exhorts followers of Christ to preach the Gospel to themselves every day. This means we need more emphasis, not less, on the blood of Christ.
Why don’t you read the book of Leviticus some time during the next week? As you do, keep your thoughts and attention on the Cross and the shed blood of Jesus. Remember Aaron and his ordination? Thank the Lord that the blood of Christ is applied head to toe, so that our eternal destination is not hell, but heaven.
Now that is Good News!
