Miscellanies: Don't Eat the Blood...Yet
I was struck again by the thick prohibition in the Old Testament to not consume blood:
“Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh. You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out on the earth like water…The blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the Lord your God, but the flesh you may eat.” (Deuteronomy 12:23–24, 27)
There are a few reasons why the Lord gave them this word. First, it would set Israel apart from pagan cultures that drank the blood of animals and humans. Two, since blood carries nutrients and disease—the blood is the life—consuming animal blood in the ancient near east would undoubtedly have led to rampant illness and disease. Three, the blood of sacrifices was connected to atonement. God wanted to make it clear there’s only one way for atonement to happen. The theological and doxological use of blood was to not be lost.
And that bring us to today.
There is a time we are told to consume the blood.
Perhaps the prohibition in the Old Testament is also meant to cause this invitation to shine.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. (John 6:53–56)
“Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27–28)
Jesus tells us, in stark contrast to every other sacrifice offered, to drink his blood. To partake of it by faith, trusting that his blood was poured out for us, paying for our sins. Every time we drink the cup at the Lord’ Supper, we are remembering and communing with him and his work.
His blood is better.
Christ’s blood doesn’t carry any disease. His blood cannot harm us. His righteous blood heals us. Cleanses us. Forgives us. We get life from his lifeblood. Life now and forever. Jesus’s blood is set apart from either other religion. We receive his life in his death and resurrection. His blood is our atonement. His blood is better than all other sacrifices. Let’s not lose the theological and doxological blood!
Reads for the Soul
An Open Letter to Anyone Who’s Hit Rock Bottom by Ray Ortlund
I love Ray. Anytime he’s writing, publishing, posting, I’m reading on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for his new book.
The Real Reason We Struggle to Pray by Jeremy Linneman
An insightful and helpful word!
Why Christian Men Need Friendship, Not Just "Accountability" by Samuel James
Samuel is right on the money. The entire “Accountability Culture” cannot provide what Christian formation truly needs. It’s half-baked. Fear-mongering discipleship is not from above.
9 Marks has provided a revealing review of Practicing the Way. After my brief review, I couldn’t agree more with this one as well.
A Song
A Quote
“The bloody sacrifice of Calvary is the only hope of sinners.”
C. H. Spurgeon
I’m teaching through Exodus at the moment, and there are so many ways the details of the tabernacle and the priesthood point to Christ, and this is another great connection. I’ll definitely use it as we discuss the law. Very helpful.