His Death Gives Me Life

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the alter to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”    -Leviticus 17:11

All throughout the Old Testament, animal sacrifice seems to have taken an important role in the Israelite’s worship to God; but where does its real significance lie? Animal sacrifice had several purposes, but one of the biggest reasons God commanded it was to point to the sacrifice that His Son would one day make for all of mankind.

The penalty of sin is death, and nobody can approach God without having their sins covered in innocent blood; blood gives us life because it speaks of the death we deserve. Hebrews 9:22 says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

There are only two ways to get to Heaven; 1) live a perfect, sinless life, or 2), accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. Nothing we can do will ever make our Spiritually dead ‘flesh’ come alive, so Jesus’ offer to us is this: “Let me give you life and cover you with my blood; I am the perfect sacrificial lamb, slain once and for all. I died to give you life, won’t you take it?”

I don’t think Leviticus 17:11 was just referring to the animal sacrifice that happened in the temple; I think it was pointing to the life Jesus’ blood gives to our dead flesh. I absolutely cannot wait for Heaven and the time when I will be rid of my sin nature, but in the meantime, I am more than grateful for the assurance I have through His blood that I will one day stand in His presence. What a day that will be!