SUNDAY January 25, 2026

The Blood of the Covenant

Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”
Hebrews 9:18-20

The first covenant made was necessitated by blood­­ (Exodus 24:8). Why was blood necessary? By the Law of Moses, blood was demanded for the forgiveness of sin. When an animal’s blood was shed, it was used for an atonement––reparation or propitiation for sin. Through the shedding of blood, atonement for sin was made, but an animal’s death only acted as a covering for sin.

For example, if I took a quarter, showed it to you, and then I put it in my pocket, you would not see it anymore. But where is the coin? It remains hidden in my pocket. Although unseen, it is still there. This is the way the Old Testament Law dealt with sin. Although sin was atoned for, sin still remained––it was not fully taken away, only covered over.

When Jesus Christ came and died on the Cross, His blood took our sin and cast it as far as the east and the west: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12). God does not remember our sins ever again! He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).

What is a common problem with some Christians today? They are always living in the past; when they have been forgiven. Honestly, you do not have to worry about the sins you have committed in the past. The blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed you from your sin, once and for all! The explanation for what has happened is written in 1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.... How can you respond to such love? Give Him your life!

Faith, love, trust, joy and obedience are the saints’ responses to the Father’s loving acts shown to them.
~John Owen~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!