Hebrews 9:11-28
God had no heavenly use for the blood of goats or bulls. The sacrifice of animals did not happen for God’s benefit. God required the sacrifice of animals because we needed it. We needed to know that sin is deadly. Every time our sinfulness required the death of an animal, the act of sacrifice reminded us figuratively and literally, that sin always results in death. Blood represented life, and the sacrifice of blood represented the sacrifice of life. Humanity always has a choice, we can choose to sacrifice our life to the cause of righteousness, or we will have no choice but to lose our life because of sinfulness.

Unfortunately, many saw the symbols and they did not recognize what the blood symbolized. To them the blood of animals became a cheap ticket to forgiveness. For the price of a goat or bull, they hoped and believed they could escape the wages of sin. That was not what God intended when he set up the ceremonial sacrifices. God intended that the sacrifices would evoke a sincere sense of regret and a deep desire for repentance. The blood of animal sacrifices was too cheap, and humanity still failed to acknowledge the cost of sin.

Christ was the Son of God. When he shed his blood on the cross, he paid the ultimate price for sin. The shedding of his blood was a once and forever sacrifice. His blood and his life broke the power of sin to enslave humanity. Sin no longer had the power of death for those who believe. The blood of goats and bulls were a symbol, but Christ’s blood is more than a symbol. Christ’s blood is the reality. It is the anchor point of our hope and salvation. It is the proof of God’s Love. It opened the doorway to the very presence of God. To the nonbeliever the cross is foolishness; but to the Christian, the empty cross is the symbol of freedom. To the Christian the blood of Jesus is everything.