Nothing but the Blood


Why would a loving God allow lambs to be killed every now and then? What can we see in the courtyard of the earthly sanctuary where physical and literal sacrifices of lambs were happening? Isn’t it too bloody and eerie? This should not be, but why?

Imagine if the cost of our salvation is only like a piece of candy. One can simply buy a candy and tada! He is freed from the curse of sin. There could be plenty of candies around a church. The point is salvation is not cheap, and it should not be, otherwise we can simply buy it and take the credit to ourselves. God instituted something that we can never buy for our salvation – the blood of Jesus.

But why do we need the blood of Jesus? Frederick Tatford explained using a short illustration:

“At a great parliament of religions, held in Chicago many years ago, practically every known religion was represented. During one session, Dr. Joseph Cook, of Boston, suddenly rose and said: “Gentlemen, I beg to introduce to you a woman with a great sorrow. Bloodstains are on her hands, and nothing she has tried will remove them. The blood is that of murder. She has been driven to desperation in her distress. Is there anything in your religion that will remove her sin and give her peace?” A hush fell upon the gathering. Not one of the company replied.

Raising his eyes heavenwards. Dr. Cook then cried out, “John, can you tell this woman how to get rid of her awful sin?” The great preacher waited, as if listening for a reply. Suddenly he cried, “Listen, John speaks” The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sins.” (1 John 1:7) Not a soul broke the silence: the representatives of Eastern religions and Western cults sat dumb. In the face of human need, the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone could meet the need. The sin of the race demanded the blood of Calvary.”

The first question in the story: “Is there anything in your religion that will remove her sin and give her peace?” should open for the answer on our inquest: “Why the blood of Jesus?” The last sentence should partly satisfy that question which says, “The sin of the race demanded the blood of Calvary.”

The effect of sin is so terrible. Think of those loved ones who have departed us to death. Despite some who died naturally and peacefully, but still, it is so painful knowing that they will not be there anymore the next day. “For the wages of sin is death,” that’s how awful sin is.

Sin is real, and so is Jesus’ priceless and precious blood which takes away that sin!