What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know. Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
The blood of Jesus provides redemption, justification, peace, and direct access to God. Additionally, it provides cleansing from sin and redemption from the curse of the law, and it spares us from the wrath of God.
The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus are central to the Christian faith. The crucifixion of Jesus was bloody, messy, and brutal. I’ve heard progressive Christians object to, what they call, the antiquated obsession with the blood of Jesus through sermons and songs.
I freely admit that a sanitized Gospel, one that did not require such a brutal sacrifice might be easier on our conscience. Our sin required the ultimate sacrifice. Our debt required more than silver and gold. We were incapable of paying the debt. Here’s an article that I wrote with nearly 60 Bible verses about sin.
Jesus paid it all.
REDEMPTION MEANING
Redemption has a couple of meanings that fit the Biblical context. It’s the act of being saved from sin or evil. It is also the act of reacquiring or regaining possession of something in exchange for payment or satisfying a debt.
In the fall, mankind was “acquired” by the enemy of our souls. God’s plan of reacquiring us through the payment of debt began immediately in Genesis. The plan was complex and took thousands of years and it worked.
Redeemed From The Curse of the Law
I want to address something before we get too far into this article. Far too many Christians take Galatians 3:13 out of context.
Galatians 3:13-14 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.
We are redeemed from the curse of the law. That does not mean that we’re redeemed from poverty. Jesus defeated sin at Calvary — not poverty. Poverty is part of the Fall. We will fight the effects of the Fall every day we are alive.
Here’s an article I wrote about the errors in the Prosperity Gospel. The article addresses the misuse of the verse.
THE BLOOD OF JESUS SCRIPTURES
Christ’s precious blood had redeemed us! The blood of Jesus purifies us and it speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
I Peter 1:18-20 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
Hebrews 12:23-24 To the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Peace Through The Blood of Jesus
Jesus made peace through His sacrifice on our behalf!
Colossians 1:19-20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Jesus purchased the Church with His blood, He sweated blood in prayer, and purchased persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation!
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.
Revelation 1:4-6 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood — and He made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Luke 22:44 And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Forgiveness Through the Blood of Jesus
The book of Hebrews contains some difficult theology. Much of it deals with a comparison of Mosaic Law to Christianity. Don’t skip over this book! It sheds much-needed light on the history of our faith.
Hebrews 9:12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are cleansed with blood, according to the Law, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
Justified By His Blood
I believe that the Book of Romans is the most theologically complex epistle written. Every sentence is overflowing with wisdom.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
We are justified by His blood! Furthermore, we are saved from the wrath of God through Him as well.
Redemption Through His Blood
Ephesians, in my humble opinion, is a close second to the book of Romans on theological complexity. The book of Ephesians, however, can be read and easily understood by new believers. Its complexities can be unfolded as the years go by.
What a great letter!
Ephesians 1:7-9 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
I am persuaded that Revelation 12:11 is one of the most misused and misquoted verses in the Bible.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
When Revelation 12:11 is quoted, it is often cut short at the word “testimony.” For some reason, most people fail to state, “And they did not love their life even when faced with death” and understandably so. That’s a bitter pill to swallow. It must be included, however.
This is a three-fold scripture. Until you are willing to stare death in the face, give 100% to Christ, and embrace any outcome this scripture will be powerless in your life.
THE BLOOD OF JESUS PRAYER
We have access to the Holy Place through the Blood. Often, in my prayer time, I speak out that truth. I realize that God knows it but it’s good to remind myself of how I gain access. It’s only through Christ that I have access to the Father.
Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus.
NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS
The Church, as a whole, could increase its frequency of singing about the Blood of Jesus. Music is a “sneaky” way to get theology into a church. It’s kind of like the mom or dad who sneaks in spinach in the red sauce and “fools” the kids.
Here are a few new-ish songs or remakes about the Blood of Jesus for your consideration.
| Song | Artist |
| Communion | Third Day |
| Nothing But The Blood | Matt Redman |
| Cleansed/Nothing But the Blood | People & Songs |
| Thank You Jesus For The Blood | Charity Gayle |
| Drenched in Love | Bethel Music |
PLEAD THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Pleading the Blood of Jesus was a normal occurrence in the churches where I grew up. I didn’t know what it meant and it just kind of crept into my prayer life and became a habit.
I would “please the blood of Jesus” for various reasons but never really checked the theological foundation of that practice. It was simply a habit or a tradition similar to someone saying “Father God” after every line of prayer. I’m no longer 100% sold on the validity of “pleading the blood of Jesus” as an effective manner in which to pray.
I’ve read far too many disturbing things recently, primarily in the New Apostolic Reformation, where “legal terms” are tossed about with impunity. When someone states that these legal terms “give God permission” to do something I immediately tap out.
I don’t believe that there is anything inherently wrong with “pleading the blood” of Jesus. Please don’t think that it is a magic word or secret weapon that you can pull out to get your way in life.
POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS
There is power in the Blood of Jesus. Through the blood, we are redeemed, purchased, justified, cleansed, brought near, saved from wrath, and much more!
I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Lester Summral minister on several occasions. This man of God would light up like a child on Christmas morning whenever the song O The Blood of Jesus was played.
Another classic song about the Blood of Jesus is There Is Power In The Blood. This was a favorite of mine when I was a kid.
BENEDICTION
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is, Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
PS – Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Yet, ministers such as Jesse Duplantis and Robert Morris contend that none-tithers are under a curse. In their mind, the blood of Jesus is insufficient. Here’s The Ultimate Guide To Tithing. We’re saved by grace through faith, not by tithing. Just ask the Pharisee in Luke 18.
