Transfused With Blood

Hebrews 9:11-14

Transfused withBlood


38,000 units of blood are needed every day in the US.


The Hebrew Christians were tempted to return to Judaism.


The Hebrew Christians were tempted to return to Judaism. They likely thought the Old Testament sacrifices were

better than Jesus’ sacrifice.



better than Jesus’ sacrifice. Maybe it was that they were offered yearly.



better than Jesus’ sacrifice. Maybe it was that they were offered yearly: “Every priest

stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (10:11-12, ESV).



better than Jesus’ sacrifice. Maybe it was that they were offered yearly: (10:11-12). Maybe it was that they could see the animal being led to its

death.



better than Jesus’ sacrifice. Maybe it was that they were offered yearly: (10:11-12). Maybe it was that they could see the animal being led to its

death. Maybe it was that was what they had always known.


We do not need a transfusion of animal blood.


We do not need a transfusion of animal blood. The first successful blood transfusions were with animal

blood.



blood. We do not need to be transfused with the blood of bulls &

goats.




goats. Such a transfusion could not remove our sins.




goats. Such a transfusion could not remove our sins. “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”

(Heb 10:4, ESV).

PURCHASES US

PURGES US

vv 11-12


“When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (vv 11-12, ESV).


“When Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (vv 11-12, ESV).

Christ’s blood purchases us by “securing an eternal redemption” for us.


Christ appears as high priest.


Christ appears as high priest. Only a high priest could offer sacrifices for sin.


Christ appears as high priest. Only a high priest could offer sacrifices for sin. “The priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his

father’s place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments. He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins” (Lev 16:32-34, ESV).


But Jesus entered with his own blood the greater & more perfect tent, not the one in Jerusalem.


But Jesus entered with his own blood the greater & more perfect tent, not the one in Jerusalem. The blood of bulls & goats was used on the Day of Atonement.



The calf was offered for the sins of the high priest & his family & the goat was offered for the sins of the people.



The calf was offered for the sins of the high priest & his family & the goat was offered for the sins of the people.

Jesus entered a greater & more perfect tent—heaven—for the earthly tent—tabernacle/Temple—was a shadow of the coming one (8:5).


He entered the greater tent with his own blood.


He entered the greater tent with his own blood. Crucial in any understanding of salvation is that Jesus gave

his blood.



his blood. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of

sins” (Heb 9:22, ESV).




sins” (Heb 9:22, ESV). Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins.




sins” (Heb 9:22, ESV). Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for

the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28, ESV).




sins” (Heb 9:22, ESV). Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for

the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28, ESV). “One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there

came out blood and water” (Jn 19:34, ESV).


When Jesus made atonement for sin, he used his own blood.


When Jesus made atonement for sin, he used his own blood. Man can’t offer sacrifices to appease the “gods,” but God

himself offered his own blood.


When Jesus made atonement for sin, he used his own blood. Man can’t offer sacrifices to appease the “gods,” but God

himself offered his own blood. “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my

life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (Jn 10:17-18, ESV).


Blood is so very important.


Blood is so very important. “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you

on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life” (Lev 17:11, ESV).




Life is not possible without blood.




Life is not possible without blood. It is, therefore, no accident that God connected blood with

eternal life.


Jesus’ blood purchases us by “securing an eternal redemption.”


Jesus’ blood purchases us by “securing an eternal redemption.” The idea in a “redemption” is the ransoming of something.


Jesus’ blood purchases us by “securing an eternal redemption.” The idea in a “redemption” is the ransoming of something. “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your

forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold” (1 Pt 1:18, ESV).


We were held captive to sin & Jesus offered his own blood for our redemption.


We were held captive to sin & Jesus offered his own blood for our redemption. We know that we were slaves to sin.


We were held captive to sin & Jesus offered his own blood for our redemption. We know that we were slaves to sin. “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin”

(Jn 8:34, ESV).



(Jn 8:34, ESV). We also know that truth from our own experiences.



(Jn 8:34, ESV). We also know that truth from our own experiences.

Jesus came & offered his blood to redeem us from sin.


Jesus’ blood offers “an eternal redemption.”


Jesus’ blood offers “an eternal redemption.” Juxtaposed with the yearly sacrifices of the high priest.


Jesus’ blood offers “an eternal redemption.” Juxtaposed with the yearly sacrifices of the high priest. This redemption last through eternity.

Have you received your pardon?

vv 13-14


“For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (vv 13-14, ESV).


Argument from the lesser to the greater.


Argument from the lesser to the greater. In the Old Testament, animal blood purified worshipers.


Argument from the lesser to the greater. In the Old Testament, animal blood purified worshipers. When the people committed themselves to the covenant, Moses

purified them with the blood of goats & calves (Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:19).


Argument from the lesser to the greater. In the Old Testament, animal blood purified worshipers. When the people committed themselves to the covenant, Moses

purified them with the blood of goats & calves (Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:19). One who had come into contact with a dead body was purified with

the ashes of a heifer (Num 19).


Argument from the lesser to the greater. In the Old Testament, animal blood purified worshipers. This purification was “of the flesh.”


Argument from the lesser to the greater. In the Old Testament, animal blood purified worshipers. This purification was “of the flesh.” Purification was a big deal in the Old Testament.


Argument from the lesser to the greater. In the Old Testament, animal blood purified worshipers. This purification was “of the flesh.” Purification was a big deal in the Old Testament. “Whoever touches a dead person, the body of anyone who has died,

and does not cleanse himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not thrown on him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still on him” (Num 19:13, ESV).


Jesus’ blood can purify us, for he “offered himself without blemish to God.”


Jesus’ blood can purify us, for he “offered himself without blemish to God.” Under the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered without

blemish.



blemish. But how many animals were acceptably offered to God but had a

blemish?




blemish? How many had a microbe but showed no signs of illness?




blemish? How many had a microbe but showed no signs of illness?

Jesus had no visible or invisible blemish!


By the time he reached the cross, Jesus’ body was anything but “without blemish.”


By the time he reached the cross, Jesus’ body was anything but “without blemish.” He took a severe beating from the soldiers.


By the time he reached the cross, Jesus’ body was anything but “without blemish.” He took a severe beating from the soldiers. His flogging likely left bone & organs exposed.


By the time he reached the cross, Jesus’ body was anything but “without blemish.” He took a severe beating from the soldiers. His flogging likely left bone & organs exposed.

But his conscience was “without blemish”; therefore, he could die to cleanse our consciences.


Jesus was without sin.


Jesus was without sin. “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (Jn 8:46, ESV).


Jesus was without sin. “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (Jn 8:46, ESV). God “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we

might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21, ESV).


The Greek term for “conscience” literally means “joint knowledge.”


The Greek term for “conscience” literally means “joint knowledge.” That’s a good description of a conscience!


The Greek term for “conscience” literally means “joint knowledge.” That’s a good description of a conscience! It is the knowledge of what is right & the knowledge of what

we have done.



Scripture uses the word “conscience” as we do.



Scripture uses the word “conscience” as we do. “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts,

while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Rom 2:15-16, ESV).



Scripture uses the word “conscience” as we do. “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts,

while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Rom 2:15-16, ESV).

The conscience will accuse or excuse alien Gentiles.


The blood of Jesus cleanses our consciences.


The blood of Jesus cleanses our consciences. Who among us hasn’t had a guilty conscience cleansed in

Jesus’ blood?


Jesus’ blood cleanses us in order that we can serve “the living God.”


Jesus’ blood cleanses us in order that we can serve “the living God.” Juxtaposition between “dead works” & “living God.”


Jesus’ blood cleanses us in order that we can serve “the living God.” Juxtaposition between “dead works” & “living God.” We were purged from sin to serve God.


Jesus’ blood cleanses us in order that we can serve “the living God.” Juxtaposition between “dead works” & “living God.” We were purged from sin to serve God. The Greek word “serve” here carries the connotation of the priestly

work of sacrifice.


Jesus’ blood cleanses us in order that we can serve “the living God.” Juxtaposition between “dead works” & “living God.” We were purged from sin to serve God. The Greek word “serve” here carries the connotation of the priestly

work of sacrifice. We were purged from sin to come & offer our sacrifice of praise

before the throne of God.

Spiritual

Transfused With Blood