A superior blood sacrifice

That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect. That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:15-22 NLT

The blood sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ completely atoned for sin and obtained a clear conscience. Forgiveness of sin requires the shedding of blood. Therefore, both of the adherence of the old and new covenants understand that sin requires death. The blood sacrifice done during the old covenant was flawed because it only dealt with “sins the people had committed in ignorance” (Hebrews 9:7). The sacrifice in the old covenant foreshadowed the coming of Christ, “the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people” (Hebrews 9:15a). It was Christ who bridged the vast gulf created by humanities’ sin that separates them from God. Christ’s sacrifice was retroactive for His death sets free from the penalty of the sins even those that were committed under that first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15b). This is also what Paul said in Romans 3:25, “For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past.” The penalty for sin was removed for those who trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. His sacrifice provided an eternal inheritance to those who believed. In the old covenant, Moses proclaimed the commandments to the people and offered animal sacrifices. Then the blood was sprinkled among the people symbolizing the ratification of the covenant between God and Israel (see Exodus 24:6-8). The symbolism of Moses’ action finds its fulfillment in Jesus’ death at the cross. The blood was sprinkled not only to the people but also to all the things that will be used for worship in the Tabernacle. This was done to purify all that will be involved in the worship of God. In the same way, Christ’s sacrifice made it possible for us who placed our faith in Him to be cleansed from our sins thus making our presence before God acceptable to Him. We need to be cleansed from sin and be sanctified so that we are “made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).

Blessings,