Hebrews 9:20

Hebrews 9:20

The blood of the Covenant

Once again, the sprinkling of blood is being emphasized, this symbolic act was the start of a process that would characterise the faith of the Israelites forever. The sprinkling of blood was part of just about every ritual and ceremony that they celebrated, and blood was sprinkled over numerous items, people, buildings and artifacts, because it always spoke of purity, cleansing, dedication to God, and sprinkled items were deemed to be covered and protected from the stain of sin and thus sacred to the Lord. So, even the Covenant itself was covered by blood and thus sanctified and set apart for God and from God. Remember that this was not just some human tradition or religious regulation, this was all done in the name of the Lord and under His authority and instruction. 

We turn to ourselves and of course, make a direct link with the blood of the sacrifice that was offered at Calvary. The blood that Yeshua offered when He was whipped and scourged, when the crown of thorns was rammed on to His head, when the nails were driven through His hands and feet and when the spear tip was thrust into His lifeless body. There can be no doubt that much blood was shed by our Lord as He offered Himself as a sacrifice for the world of humanity. We celebrate this momentous event every time we break bread and share the wine of Communion, it is wonderful to know that we are covered and washed clean from all defilements and every sin. 

What we fail to remember is that those who have been cleansed by God are also sanctified by Him, we are sacred objects, set apart and purified for Holy Service. Our bodies and our mental and spiritual beings also belong to Him, we are not our own, we have been designated for divine service, and the sprinkled blood sanctifies us and renders us fit for purpose. (See Hebrews 10:22) Do we see ourselves as Holy instruments, a saintly body of priests who have been set apart and dedicated to serve in the Kingdom of God? Are we aware that every part of us is cleansed and every thought, word and deed is now to be offered to the Lord for use in His Holy Temple? What a challenge but what an honour!

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