" A Search for ATONING BLOOD "

 

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul." Leviticus 17:11

One spring evening many years ago, and old Jewish gentleman gave the following personal account to a meeting of fellow Hebrews.

"This is Passover week among you, my Jewish brethren, and as I sit here I was thinking how you will be observing it. You will have to put away all leaven from your houses; you will eat the Matzoth (unleavened bread) and the roasted LAMB. You will attend the synagogue and carry out the ritual and direction of the Talmud; but you forget, my brethren, that you have done everything but that which JEHOVAH required first of all. HE did not say, 'When I see the leaven put away,' or 'When I see you eat the Matzoth, or the LAMB, or go to the synagogue,' but HIS WORD was, 'When I see the blood, I will pass over you.' AH ! My brethren, you cannot substitute anything for this. You must have the blood - blood-blood !"

     As he reiterated this word with ever increasing emphasis, his black eyes flashed warningly, and his Jewish hearers trembled before him. Blood ! It is an awful word for one who reveres the ancient oracles and yet has no sacrifice. Turn where he will in the Book, the blood meets him; but let him seek where he may, he cannot find it in the Judaism of the present.

     After a moment's pause, the old man went on somewhat as follows:  "I was born in Israel, nearly seventy years ago. As a child I was taught to read the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets. I attended the synagogue and learned what I was told, that our's was the true and only religion. As I grew older and studied the Law more intently, I was struck by the place the blood had in all the ceremonies outlined there, and I was equally struck by its utter absence in the rituals in which I was brought up. Again and again I read Exodus 12 and Leviticus 16 and 17. The latter chapters especially made me tremble as I thought of the great day of atonement and the place the blood had there. Day and night, one verse would ring in my ears:  'It is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'  I knew I had broken the Law. I needed atonement. Year after year, on that day, I beat my breast as I confessed my need of it; but it was to be made by blood, and there was no Blood !

     In my distress, I at last opened my heart to a learned and venerable Rabbi. He told me that GOD was angry with HIS people, the temple was destroyed, and a Mohammedan mosque was reared up in its place. The only spot on this Earth where we dare shed the blood of sacrifice, in accordance with Deuteronomy 12 and Leviticus 17, was desecrated when our nation was scattered. That was why there was no blood. GOD HIMSELF had closed the way to carry out the solemn service of the great Day of Atonement. According to the Rabbi, we must turn to the Talmud, rest on its instructions, and trust in the mercy of GOD and the merits of our fathers.

     I tried to be satisfied, but could not. Something seemed to say that the Law was unaltered, even though our temple was destroyed. Nothing else but the blood could atone for the soul. We dare not shed blood for atonement elsewhere than in the place the LORD had chosen. This meant we were left without an atonement at all. The thought filled me with horror. In my distress I consulted many other Rabbis. I had but one great question -- Where can I find the blood of atonement ? I was over thirty years of age when I left Israel and came to Constantinople with my still unanswered question ever before my mind, and my soul exceedingly troubled about my sins.

     One night I was walking down one of the narrow streets of that city, when I saw a sign telling of a meeting for Jews. Curiosity led me to open the door and go in. Just as I took a seat I heard a man say, "The blood of JESUS CHRIST HIS SON cleanses us from all sin." It was my first introduction to Christianity, but I listened breathlessly as the speaker told how GOD had declared that 'Without shedding of blood is no remission.' However, HE had given HIS only begotten SON, the LAMB of GOD, to die for our sins, and those who trusted in HIS Blood were forgiven of all their iniquities. This was the MESSIAH of Isaiah 53, and this was the SUFFERER of Psalm 22.

     Ah, my brethren, I had found the blood atonement at last. I trusted it, and now I love to read the New Testament and see how all the shadows of the Law are fulfilled in JESUS. HIS Blood has been shed for sinners - once for all. It has satisfied GOD, and it is the only means of salvation for either Jew or Gentile."

Dear Reader, have you yet found the Blood of atonement ? Are you trusting in GOD's smitten LAMB ?

It is written in GOD's WORD:

"...when I see the blood, I will pass over you..." (Exodus 12:13)

"...for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11)

"...the blood of JESUS CHRIST HIS SON cleanses us from all sin." (1st.John 1:7)

"In WHOM we have redemption through HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1:14)

"But this MAN, after HE had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of GOD;" (Hebrews 10:12)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

The Bible says that "the goodness of GOD leads thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). If you would be willing to turn to GOD in repentance and faith, and receive CHRIST as your personal SAVIOR, pray this simple prayer or one like it:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me, come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for you always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Everlasting life begins when we receive CHRIST as our SAVIOR/MESSIAH. The LORD JESUS said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" Wounded for Our Transgressions (Sins) "

 

Isaiah 52:13-53:9  "Behold, MY SERVANT shall deal prudently, HE shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at THEE; HIS visage was so marred more than any man, and HIS form more than the sons of men: so shall HE sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at HIM: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Who has believed our report ? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed ? For HE shall grow up before HIM as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: HE has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see HIM, there is no beauty that we should desire HIM. HE is despised and rejected of men; a MAN of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from HIM; HE was despised, and we esteemed HIM not. Surely HE has born our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem HIM stricken, smitten of GOD, and afflicted. But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on HIM the iniquity of us all. HE was oppressed, and HE was afflicted, yet HE opened not HIS mouth: HE is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so HE opened not HIS mouth. HE was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare HIS generation ? for HE was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was HE stricken. And HE made HIS grave with the wicked, and with the rich in HIS death; because HE had done no violence, neither was any deceit in HIS mouth."

     "HE was wounded for our transgressions" (53:5). HE, JESUS CHRIST, was wounded (broken, slain) for our rebellion (revolt, sin, trespass). The week prior to Resurrection Sunday is known as the Passion Week or Holy Week, referring to the crucifixion and agony of JESUS' physical sufferings leading up to and including HIS death on the cross of Calvary. I caution you, however, not to get lost in the sympathies that arise when we think of the physical agony HE suffered. Yet, we dare not minimize it either, for it demonstrates the length to which our SAVIOR would go and the depth of suffering HE would endure in order to purchase our redemption. 

     Isaiah records that "HIS visage was so marred more than any man, and HIS form more than the sons of men" (52:14). But remember, please, the reason for HIS hanging suspended upon that cruel instrument of death: "HE was wounded for our transgressions," said the prophet. GOD the FATHER sent HIS SON to die for my sins and your sins. Peter declares that HE "bare our sins in HIS OWN body on the tree . . . by whose stripes ye were healed" (1st.Peter 2:24 pictured above). Let the beauty and power of HIS redemptive work grip your heart today. Say to yourself, "HE died for me." Have you personally received HIS free gift of life ? Have you entered into the blessed reality of John 1:12 pictured above ? JESUS CHRIST bore your sins; HE took your place; HE paid your sin debt in full. Why not receive HIS offer of salvation right now ? If you have already trusted in HIM, then rejoice with great rejoicing for this life eternal and for HIS perfect and completed redemption. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study.

Used  with  permission.  www.featoday.org

" Is Salvation Really Great ? "

 

Hebrews 2:1-4  "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the WORD spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the LORD, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard HIM; GOD also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the HOLY GHOST, according to to HIS OWN will ?"

     Yes, our salvation is great indeed ! The salvation from sin and its deadly penalty and the resulting gift of eternal life "to every one that believes" (Romans 1:16 cf. above Acts 16:31) ought to be something that we deeply treasure in this life; it also should be a truth that we continually meditate upon and magnify each day. The fact that we are "forgiven" of sin (Colossians 2:13 below), "reconciled" to GOD (2nd.Corinthians 5:18), "justified freely by HIS grace" (Romans 3:24), and "sanctified" (1st.Corinthians 6:11) should tremendously encourage us as we study these and so many other biblical truths in our time remaining on this Earth. The relationship we have with GOD the FATHER through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, sealed by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, is truly amazing and ought to thrill every Christian. It is the greatest relationship available in this life. When we contemplate our great salvation - and we regularly should - it is humbling to realize an infinitely holy GOD could love sinners so much that HE provided a way to redeem us - to buy us out of the slave market of sin so we could have a personal relationship with HIM as HIS dear children and bring glory to HIM in this lifetime as well as the next.

     The fact that JESUS CHRIST is GOD incarnate qualified HIM to be our sin-bearer; HIS substitutionary sacrifice on Calvary's cross was of infinite value, signifying that HE could provide the offer of salvation for every single person who has ever lived - from the Creation through the end of the millennial kingdom. JESUS CHRIST the LORD died and rose again to pay in full the sin penalty owed by each person since the first man, Adam (1st.John 2:2); this is truly an astounding reality. Do you treasure this "great salvation" ? GDF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org