November 15

In whom we have redemption through his blood. - Ephesians 1:7.

HIS blood here means his death; and the reason why his death is so often expressed by the word blood is twofold. First, It was to remind us of the nature of it:-that it was a bloody death. His anguish in the garden made him “sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground;” a crown of thorns upon his head made the blood to flow, as well as caused the most agonizing pain. They drove nails through his hands and feet, and fastened them to the cross; a soldier pierced his side, and “forthwith came there out blood and water.”

Secondly, It was to remind us of the nature of his sacrifice:-“because the life is the blood.” Here, so to speak, we are reminded of the material of the atonement, namely, the life, for sin is the forfeiture of life. If any would become a substitute for a sinner in order to save him, he must die the death to which sin has exposed him. “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” “But the blood of bulls and of goats could not take away sin,” for then, as the apostle says, “They would not have ceased to be offered, because that the worshippers would have had no more conscience of sin.” But these were renewed every year, every month, every week, every day, twice every day, four times every Sabbath-day, clearly showing that sin was not as yet expiated, but remained, against the transgressors. And as it was then so it must be now, had not He interposed who said, “Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God.”

His blood was absolutely necessary and all-available. “In whom,” says the apostle, “we have redemption through his blood;” and “the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”