No bloodshed, no forgiveness

Hebrews 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The purpose of sprinkling blood on the tabernacle and the worshippers was for cleansing so they could be forgiven. The author reminded his readers that everything in the sanctuary is cleansed with blood. There could be no forgiveness without the blood, which meant that death had occurred as payment for the sin. The blood covered a multitude of sins.  The point for our encouragement today is that Jesus’ death and the blood He shed were so our consciences could be cleansed and we could be forgiven. Indeed, His blood covers a multitude of sins, doesn’t it? Everything the believer in Christ has done in the flesh, dead works, as he called them in verse 14, is cleansed and forgiven. What an extravagant act and display of God’s love.  What Charles H. Spurgeon wrote about Hosea 14:4, recorded in Devotionals, Gems, and other Writing bears repeating. “When God says, ‘I will love them freely,’ He means that no prayers, no tears, no good works, no alms are inducements to Him to love men. Not only nothing in themselves, but nothing anywhere else was the cause of His love to them, not even the blood of Christ. Not even the groans and tears of His beloved Son. These are the fruits of His love, not the cause of it. He does not love because Christ died, but Christ died because the Father loved. Remember that this fountain of love has its spring in itself, not in you nor in me, but only in the Father’s own gracious, infinite heart of goodness.’” The fountain of God’s love is the blood of Jesus shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus said, “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:54–56). Be encouraged today to drink Jesus’ blood, which means to abide in Jesus’ death and life for the forgiveness of your sins. Confess your sins and Jesus will be faithful to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Father, give us humble hearts to confess our sins and receive Your forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Keep us abiding in Your love revealed in Your Son’s sacrifice for us. We boast in You, Lord Jesus. We are grateful for Your pain and sacrifice that we might have life eternal and know Your love. For Your glory, pour out Your love in our hearts and through our lives today.