Introduction: Throughout the Bible, much emphasis is put on blood and its connection to man's salvation through sacrifices.

A. First mention: Gen. 4:1-5 (Note - Heb. 11:4; Rom. 10:17) - Cain and Abel.

B. Rev. 5:5-6 - on the opposite end of Bible.

C. Countless times in between: daily, weekly, monthly and yearly sacrifices. Rivers of blood from altars. Heb. 10:1-3 - "Continual offerings."

D. Outstanding example: Ex. 12:1-14 - Passover (1 Cor. 5:7b - Jesus Christ, our Passover).

E. Mt. 26:26-29 - blood of the covenant (1 Cor. 11:25).

Why this emphasis on blood? Why not emphasize prayer, money, lineage, tribes? However, there is a connection between blood and our salvation.

I. Life is connected with blood; sin with death.

A. Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:10-11,14.

B. Man is a living being - blood is the source of life. II. Sin brings about death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).

II. Sin brings about death (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).

A. The soul that sins shall die (Ezek. 18:4,20; Isa. 59:1-2).

B. I sinned; I must die; my blood must be shed.

1. Life and blood speak of man's original condition before God.

2. Sin and death speak of man's condition after the Fall.

C. Unless something can be done to spare me, my life (blood) is forfeited for my sins.

III. A way of escape foretold.

A. Gen. 4:1-5 - the sacrifice of Abel accepted; Cain's rejected.

1. Cain may not have realized that his bloodless sacrifice destroyed a future symbolism; however, he acted without faith (Rom. 10:17).

2. Abel may not have realized that his bloody sacrifice met the future symbolism; however, he acted by faith (Heb. 11:4).

B. It is the way of a substitute.

1. Gen. 25:1-19.

2. Abraham might not have known the future symbolism of Christ being offered for our sins but he acted from faith (Heb. 11:17ff).

3. Isaac's life was saved by the substitute ram, a bloody offering.

IV. Christ and His Death (Blood) is our substitute; His life given for ours.

A. Rom. 3:25-26.

B. Rom. 5:9,10.

C. Eph. 1:7; 2:13.

D. Heb. 9:7-14, 22-26.

E. 1 Jn. 1:7.

V. Baptism in the plan of redemption.

A. We must contact the blood that was shed for us to have life.

B. This is done when we are buried in baptism (Rom. 6:1-7).

Conclusion: Knowing why God demands a bloody sacrifice magnifies His grace, points out the sinfulness of sin and our inability to solve our dilemma by our own efforts.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 6, p. 170
March 20, 1986