HOW CAN BLOOD SAVE YOUR LIFE?

Conclusion of: THE ONLY BLOOD THAT IS LIFE-SAVING

The Bible compares  the Messiah's role to what was done on Atonement Day: "When Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come to pass, through the greater and more perfect [temple] not made with hands, . . . he entered, no, not with the blood of goats and of young bulls, but with his own blood, once for all time into the holy place [heaven] and obtained an everlasting deliverance for us.  Yes, nearly all things are cleansed with blood according to the Law, and unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place." -Hebrews 9:11, 12, 22. 

It thus becomes plain why we need to have God's view of blood. In accord with his right  as Creator, he has determined its exclusive usefulness. Israelites of old may have heaped health benefits by not taking in animal or human blood, but that was not the most important point.  (Isaiah 48:17)  They had to avoid sustaining their lives with blood, not primarily because doing otherwise was unhealthy, but because it was unholy to God.  They were to abstain from blood, not because it was polluted, but because it was precious in obtaining forgiveness.  

The apostle Paul explained about the ransom:  "By means of him [Christ] we have the release by ransom through the  blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness."  (Ephesians 1:7)   The original Greek word found there is properly translated "blood," but a number of Bible versions err in substituting the word "death." Hence, readers might miss the emphasis on our Creator's view of blood and the sacrificial value that he has linked to it. 

The Bible's theme revolves around the fact that Christ died as a perfect ransom sacrifice but did not remain dead. Following the pattern that God set on Atonement Day, Jesus was raised to heaven to "appear before the person of God for us."  He presented the there the value of his sacrificial blood.  (Hebrews 9:24)  The Bible emphasizes that we must avoid any course that would amount to 'trampling on the Son of God and esteeming his blood as of ordinary value.' Only thus may we keep a good relationship and peace with God. -Hebrews 10:29; Colossians 1;20. 

Next time: HOW CAN BLOOD SAVE YOUR LIFE?/ENJOY LIFE SAVED BY BLOOD

From the Watchtower magazine