June 13, 1999

Revised: October 13, 2002

 

The Blood: Part I

"When I See The Blood"

 

• It is not popular these days to talk about "the Blood".

• We still like to sing "There Is Power In The Blood", but ……. let’s not talk about it because it makes people uncomfortable.

• But without the shed blood of Jesus there is no salvation!

READ: Hebrews 9:11-14, 22

• I want to begin a series of messages on The Blood. We will look at what the Bible has to say about the Blood.

• We will look at the "Power In The Blood" and the importance of "Appling The Blood" in your life and over your family. I want to show you how you can apply the Blood every day.

• Today we want to go back to the beginning in Exodus 12, and look at what God established.

Turn to: Exodus 12:1-13, 21-24, 28-36

          Key Verse (v.13) "The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

General Observations:

1. This passage of Scripture is extremely important because this is when God established the Passover.

2. Jews around the world still keep the Passover.

3. The "Passover" meant:

• A new beginning for Israel.
• A new calendar by which to mark the rest of the lives.
• A new life with a new set of religious observances.

4. The word "Passover" literally means: "to spread the wings over (as to protect and preserve)".

• Quite literally it was "being protected and preserved beneath the out-stretched wings of God Almighty".

• Psalm 17:8, "Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings,"

• Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter (secret place) of the Most High….Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I trust".

5. Understand the focus and the symbolism

• The slaying of the lamb focuses on the righteousness of God and the sacrifice for sin.

• The sprinkling of the blood speaks of the believer acting in Faith and Obedience to the commandments of God.

• Clearly, the Passover was a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary ……. where the "perfect Lamb of God" laid down His life for the sins of the world.

 

The Three (3) Commands of God

• Slay the lamb (v.6)

• Apply the blood (v.7)

• Eat the sacrifice with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (v.8)

A. Slay the "best" of your flock.

• Verse 5, says that it was to be "an unblemished male". It was to be one (1) year old and the best of the flock! [sheep or goats]

• Giving our best ALWAYS costs us something. But, worship always demands our best!

• Remember, it was to be a "sacrifice". And to offer a sacrifice you have to sacrifice! Most people don’t want to sacrifice period!

• King David said, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing." (II Samuel 24:24c)

• (Key Question) What have you and I sacrificed in our worship and service to God? If it doesn’t cost you something than there either no value associated with it or you didn’t have anything to begin with!

• God sacrificed the most precious thing He had….His Son. (John 3:16)

• Jesus was the "Perfect Sacrifice"

• See Hebrews 9:11-14, 22 again.

• Ephesians 1:7, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace……."

• I Peter 1:18-19, "…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers.

But with precious blood, as a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."

B. Apply The Blood

• (Insight) The sacrifice was of no value if the blood was not applied.

• God did not look for the sacrifice. He looked for the Blood! (Exodus 12:13)

• In terms of our salvation, the "sacrifice of Jesus’ will not do you any good unless the Blood is applied in your life and to your sin.

• Moses and the children of Israel took God at His Word and applied the blood.

o        Hebrews 11:28 says that, "By faith he (Moses) kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that He who destroyed the first-born might not tough them."

• Noteworthy Items:

1. The blood was to beer applied to both doorposts and the lintel (i.e. the cross piece on the top of the door frame).

2. The hyssop that was to be used was a common plant in the mint family. It had relatively stiff branches and fuzzy (almost hairy) leaves which mad it ideal for sprinkling.

3. The "basin" (Exodus 112:22) comes from an old Egyptian word ["sap"] which refers to the step right in front of the door --------- what we call today "a threshold". (Arthur W. Pink, "Gleanings From Exodus", page 93)

o        Evidently the lamb was slain right at the front door of the house.

o        That door was the only entry way into and out of the house.

o        What a symbolism! Needless to say, the doorway to our heart must be covered by the Blood of Jesus.

o        (Key Insight) We must learn to "apply" the Blood of Jesus to our lives, our families and our circumstances.

4. The "applied" blood was evidence of an obedient and prepared household. ? Is your household prepared ---- have your applied the Blood?

C. They were to "eat" the sacrifice.

• The point here is that faith and obedience had to get inside of them. Faith always comes from the "inside" out, not from the "outside" in.

• What we have here in Exodus 12 is a picture of salvation.

• The Lord Jesus Christ must become an integrated part of our lives.

• Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:48)

• Note John 6:51-58  We must eat His flesh and drink His blood.

• In the celebration of Communion ----- drinking the cup is a symbolic expression of apply, or sharing in, the "blood of Christ".

o        Luke 22:20 records how Jesus "took the cup after they had eaten, saying," This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."

o        I Corinthians 10:16a "Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ?"

In Conclusion:

1. When God looks at your life, does He see the Blood of Jesus?

• Has the Blood been applied to your heart?

• Have your sins been washed in the Blood of the Lamb?

• If not, you need to do that TODAY.

• If you have already done that, as you pray start applying the Blood to every area of your life.

2. Next time: "The Power of the Blood"