We live in a world deeply influenced by sin. Throughout history, people have made sacrificial offerings as atonement. With some faiths, offering animals like chickens or goats, using their blood as part of the ritual. This leads many to wonder: how can the death and resurrection of Jesus save us from our sins? Christians often speak of the power of redemption through the blood of Jesus, but without understanding the significance of His blood, it can be difficult to grasp how it delivers us from sin.
The word says 1 John 1:7 .. the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Does Jesus Blood Purify our Sins ?
God chose His one and only Son, Jesus, to be the ultimate sacrificial offering (Romans 3:25) for all our sins. Though He was completely blameless (1 Peter 1:19) and without sin, Jesus took upon Himself the sins of humanity (1 Peter 2:24) , as if He were the one who had committed them.
Romans 3:25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
1 Peter 2:24 '“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” '
In the Old Testament, the blood of goats and birds was used to cleanse sin, but Jesus offered His own blood as the ultimate sacrificial offering for our sins (Hebrews 9:12, Romans 3:25). He willingly chose to be crucified on the cross, offering Himself, rather than using the blood of another, to bring about the cleansing of sin (Hebrews 9:12).
Hebrews 9:12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
How Does he Purify us ?
Many people might wonder / question , "How can Jesus' sacrifice, which happened so long ago, purify me today?”
When we confess our sin’s we are purified by the blood of Jesus. The purification of Jesus blood for our sins happens in different stages
The First Step - Faith in Christ - “Jesus is Lord”
Hebrews 10:19 'Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, '
Believe that the blood of Jesus can only save you.. Faith that Blood of Jesus can save us from sin
We are born into sin and live in a world filled with sin, making it impossible for us to enter the holy presence of God on our own. In Old Testament times, people had to make sin offerings in order to approach Him.
When we place our faith in Jesus, we proclaim, "Jesus is Lord." This message is not limited to Christians alone; it is for everyone. Jesus did not die solely for Christians or any specific group—His sacrifice was for all people, regardless of faith, caste, race, or creed. - Romans 10:9-13 'If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” '
Once we embrace this faith, we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, recognizing Him as the holy sacrifice for our sins. Because He died for the sins of all people, thats how we understand Hebrews 10:19: “...since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.”
The Second Step - Assurance to Enter Holy Place
Hebrews 10:20 'by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, '
We no longer follow the Old Testament practice of offering goats or birds as sacrifices because Christ Himself became the ultimate living sacrifice, once and for all (Hebrews 7:27 / Romans 6:10). We are called to live a New Testament life.
Hebrews 7:27 "Unlike other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.”
Romans 6:10 - The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. '
Entry to the holy place is not achieved through our own actions but through the work accomplished on the cross. The tearing of the temple curtain signifies our access to the holy place
Mark 15:38 says, "The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
The work on the cross and the temple curtain torn to two gave us entry path - Luke 23:44-46 'It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. '
When we come into Christ, we are clothed with the Body of Christ Ephesians 1:23 'which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.'
The Third Step - As Sons and daughters we are made priests
Revelation 1:6 'and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. '
In Old Testament times, only the Levites were permitted to enter the holy place. But under the new covenant, we have been made sons and daughters, as well as kings and priests, with the privilege to approach the altar and offer ourselves to God, every one who believes Jesus Christ is Lord is given this privilege. Hebrews 5:1,5-6 'Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 'How can a sinner be granted this place?
We are not alone in the holy place—Jesus, our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, stands with us. This gives us the assurance to enter into God's presence. We no longer need the Levites, as Christ Himself is our great priest, leading us into this sacred space. As Hebrews 10:21 says, "And since we have a great priest over the house of God...”
Fourth Step - Washing and making us Pure
Hebrews 10:14 'For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. '
Jesus is our high priest he is holy God, he makes us holy by washing in his blood (old days hyssop - used as a tool for sprinkling blood / water in cleansing ceremonies) as Psalms 51:7 'Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. '
Jesus uses his body’s blood and water to clean us from our Sins - 1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
Through this, we are saved from our sins and freed from its power to condemn us. As Romans 6:10 says, "The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God.”
This is why the guilt of sin is removed when we confess with a sincere heart. Once forgiven, sin no longer has power over the person, and they are freed from its hold. We see this transformation in many, such as former drunkards or those who once opposed Christ taking Bible and preaching the Gospel. As Hebrews 10:22 says, "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
All curses, impure spirits, and witchcraft that once had a hold on our sins are broken because Jesus defeated them when He rose as the King. Satan has no power over us when we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus, which is why he trembles at the name of Jesus. As 1 Peter 3:19-20 states, "After being made alive, He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago while God waited patiently in the days of Noah as the ark was being built. In it, only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.”
Summary
Christ died as a sin offering for everyone; He did not sacrifice Himself for any one particular group. He died for all of humanity—men, women, all colour, creed, people of all nationalities, and those who do believe in Him or do not believe in Him. No one can claim that He did not die for them; all are included, his death is to get every one to repentance and into his eternal plans, As the word states 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
He is waiting to wash us - wash us with his Blood, unless he washes us there is nothing in us that can get pure. John 13:8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
Once we believe that Jesus is our Lord and Saviour and are cleansed, we are made sons and daughters of His kingdom and are appointed as kings and priests (Revelation 1:6). Therefore, Satan has no power over us. We begin to obey by fleeing from sin and using His light to cleanse us from within. As it states in 1 John 5:1-2 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands.”
The world's system, which is filled with sin, will no longer have control over us; we become over-comers of the world - 1 John 5:4-5 'for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.’
Once you become an overcomer, you take up your cross daily (Like Jesus did) and achieve victory over temptations, lust, and all sinful desires through Christ, as overcoming these sins on your own is impossible. When you stumble, you seek Jesus' forgiveness to cleanse yourself with His grace each day. As an overcomer, you are given the promise in Revelation 3:21: "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne.”
Humble yourself and with heartfelt faith, prayer to Jesus: “I accept Jesus as my Saviour and Lord. I ask You, Lord Jesus, to forgive me my sins the sins that’s hidden within my heart that no one else knows. Wash me with Your blood so that I may be freed from these sins. Accept me as your son / daughter Lord Jesus, and save me, Father” Amen.
Amen