The Sanctity of Blood

The sanctity of Blood

October 4, 2009

Please turn to Leviticus chapter 17 and we’ll read verses 1 through1-11
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
 "Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the people of Israel and say to them, This is the thing that the Lord has commanded.
 If any one of the house of Israel kills an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or kills it outside the camp,
 and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from among his people.
This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord.
And the priest shall throw the blood on the altar of the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting and burn the fat for a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.
 "And you shall say to them, Any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice
 and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it to the Lord, that man shall be cut off from his people.
 "If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people.
 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

As all life flows from God, it is natural that blood (without which there is no life) be regarded with great reverence. God commanded the Israelites not to take blood into their system, and they were to eat animal flesh only after the blood had been completely drained from it (Lev. 19:26). God wanted to emphasize to His people in those early days that blood had a special significance and a special sanctity. It was the physical symbol of created life, and spoke of Him who would one day come to give His life for the sins of the world.

The Israelites knew that the life, which was in the blood, belonged to God, and that somehow, when the blood was poured out for them in sacrifice, it was the means of their redemption. Of course, it was not until Christ came and shed His blood upon the Cross that the world could see the full meaning of what God had tried to show His people in the Old Testament.

One writer, expounding on the theme of the blood, said, `At the creation God came down to earth to give His breath to man, but
at Calvary He came down to give His blood for man.' In each act, of course, God gave something of His own life in order that man might be brought into a proper relationship with Himself. The whole purpose of the Old Testament is to lay down in the minds of men and women a deep respect for blood, and thus prepare them for the highest expression of are ours `through the love as demonstrated in the giving of Christ's blood on Calvary.

AS we prepared to be served, let’s pray for the consecration of these elements: Father, we are thankful for the bread and cup. We pray that these elements will provide more than physical nourishment. Grant us the peace, unity, and spiritual nourishment this bread symbolizes. May this cup speak again of the blood Christ shed for the forgiveness of sin. Cleanse us and consecrate us again as we partake of this token meal together. We eagerly await the day we shall eat it with you in the Kingdom of Heaven. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Starting on my left, please come forward to be served the elements, please hold on to your serving until all have been served so we may partake together.

(When all are ready to partake) “The Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me”  Let’s partake.

(When all are ready to partake of the cup)  “In the same way, after supper He took the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

Let’s close in prayer.