THE OP
Bible Reading: John 19:17-37
The Jewish High Priest went into the Holy of Holies once each year to make atonement for his sins and the sins of the people. On that day the blood was sprinkled seven times on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Then, going back outside the veil, he sprinkled the blood on the horns of the altar seven times [Leviticus 16:11-19]. This foreshadowed Jesus shedding His blood for us. The number 7 represents completion or perfection. Jesus’ blood was shed seven times, and in shedding His blood He made a full, perfect, and complete sacrifice for sin on the cross! Let’s take a look at the ways that the blood of Christ was shed.
Firstly, His blood was shed in the Garden of Gethsemane. “And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground” [Luke 22:44]. What a battle!
Secondly, When Jesus acknowledged that He was the Son of God they spat in His face, and beat and slapped Him with their fists [Matthew 26:67-68]. The prophet Micah wrote prophetically, “With a rod they will smite the judge of Israel on the cheek” [Micah 5:1]. The blood flowed down His face!
Thirdly, Isaiah writes prophetically, “I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out my beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting” [Isaiah 50:6]. As the beard is pulled out, so flesh is torn off and blood oozes from His pores.
Fourthly, Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him [John 19:1; Matthew 27:26]. The Roman scourge was a whip with multiple leather strips, each fitted with metal balls and sharp pieces of bone, designed to rip flesh from the body with every lash.
Fifthly, they put a crown of thorns on His head [Matthew 27:29]. These were not just the short thorns of a rose bush, but several inches long, and jammed down on Jesus’ head.
Sixthly, they crucified Him. They drove nails through His hands and feet.
Seventhly, they pierced His side. “One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water” [John 19:34]. Once again His blood flowed.
Just as the blood was applied seven times in the Passover feast, so the blood of Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was shed seven times. The Bible calls the blood of Jesus “precious” [1 Peter 1:19]. It was shed for us.
In conclusion, let’s consider seven effects in our lives of the blood of Jesus. Through His blood we have forgiveness [Hebrews 9:22], cleansing [1 John 1:9], redemption [Ephesians 1:7]; we are justified [Romans 5:9], made holy [Hebrews 13:12], have peace with God [Colossians 1:20], and have confidence to enter into God’s presence [Hebrews 10:19]
One Question:
When you consider all that Jesus suffered, will you now take time to say thank you to Him, and re-dedicate yourself afresh to Him and His service?