1211. "The Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son"–The One Who Atones

"The Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son"–The One Who Atones

"But with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1Pe_1:19).

1. There is no virtue in the blood of bulls and of goats. It was impossible for such blood to take away sins. Animals in the Old Testament days were sacrificed only in type, and in anticipation of the Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. They were used because of their typical significance, and because of that alone. Their blood possessed no cleansing power.

2. There is no virtue in the blood of martyrs. Some one has said that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church. This is true. History has shown it. But the blood of martyrs is not the basis of atonement. There are those who have even gone so far as to say that the soldiers who died for their country, died a Calvary death. Such words are sheer blasphemy. Martyrs for Christ or martyrs for the country have no saving virtue in their blood.

3. There is no virtue in the blood of a human Christ. Had our Lord Jesus Christ been a man, the son of Joseph, His Blood could not have atoned for the sins of other men.

Our Lord carries the name of "Jesus," because He aligned Himself with man: because He took a body for the purpose of dying; because He would save His people from their sins.

Our Lord carries the name of "Christ" because He was the anointed of the Father, and the matchless message of the Book of Hebrews places the emphasis not upon the Blood of Jesus, but upon the Blood of Christ. The above is not a mere incidental statement. The Word of God is definite, and full of meaning, and it says, "How much more shall the Blood of Christ Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?"

Of course, it is the Blood of Jesus, but not of Jesus, as the critics speak of Him; but of Jesus, the Christ, the anointed of the Father. The One Who died for us upon the Cross was the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. "God * * gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

If Russell and Russellism is true, and Jesus Christ was no more than man, though perfect man, He could not have given Himself in atonement for sin. He must be once and for all Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR