Beech Tree News Network

            When the Jews offered sacrifices, God had something to say about what happened to the blood of the sacrifices. Eight times in Leviticus, we read where God expected the priests (or Moses) to put blood on the horns of the altar, and then the rest of the blood was to be poured “at the bottom of the altar” (Lev. 4:7, 18, 25, 30, 34, 5:9, 8:15, 9:9).

            As I read these passages, I thought that it would not take long for this area to stink and, on occasion, have blood pooled up around the altar. Think of feast days such as the Passover and other times when the multitudes gathered and offered their sacrifices! Can we fathom the volume of blood that poured from that altar?

            Why did God require blood in connection with the sacrifices? “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). The people needed to see the price of sin, and that the consequences of sin were bloody and ugly. They needed to know that sin affected more than just the individual and that, sometimes, the innocent suffer for the deeds of the wicked!

            We need to understand the price of sin. We need to see that the consequences of our sins are bloody, ugly, and affect other people besides ourselves. I believe if we faced what our sins do, then sin would not look the same to us anymore! It would repulse us, and we would want to get away from it.

            Remember that Christ, the “Lamb of God” (Jn. 1:29), died as the sacrifice for man’s sin. He suffered, and His blood poured out from His wounds as He died on the cross (Zech. 13:1)! Look with the eye of faith to His sacrifice and understand the “Just” suffered for the “unjust” (I Pet. 3:18)! His blood was shed “for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). After He died, a cruel soldier pierced His side “and forthwith came there out blood and water” (Jn. 19:34).

            Every time blood was poured at the altar; it pointed to the innocent One whose blood could take away sin (Heb. 9:24-26, 10:4)! Christ’s blood poured down to the ground and pooled around the cross for a time. Perhaps folks stepped in it? We know there were many gathered around His cross (Jn. 19:24-27; Mk. 15:29-32; Matt. 27:47-49). I am sure some Roman soldiers had Christ’s literal blood on their hands and clothes since they argued and gambled over His bloody garment (Matt. 27:35, Jn. 19:24). Others had whipped and beat Jesus (Matt. 27:26; Mk. 15:15; Jn. 19:1)! No doubt Christ’s blood could be seen at the whipping post, and from here, one could follow His blood trail to Golgotha! As Christ was suspended between heaven and earth, we can see in our mind’s eye Jesus’ blood drip down and pool at the ground! What a bloody altar the cross is!

            The people of the Old Testament knew about blood and the cost of sin. Do we appreciate that cost? Jesus died so we might live (II Cor. 5:14-15; Rom. 12:1-2). His stripes heal us (Isa. 53:5; I Pet. 2:24)! His blood cleanses us (Rev. 1:5, 7:14)! His blood purchased the church (Acts 20:28; I Pet. 1:18-19)! Have we ever paused to consider the actual cost of sin and the magnificence of Christ’s sacrifice?

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167