~ Critical Factor: Blood ~
Introduction ~ In this series we will look at the four most basic physical needs for a human to survive, and how Jesus Christ satisfies the parallel spiritual needs. Then we will look at three additional critical factors related to both our physical and spiritual needs.
Physical Needs ~ According to basic physiological understanding mankind needs four basic elements in order to survive physically: water, air, food, and light. Jesus satisfies the parallel spiritual needs. Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:10-11, 7:38). Jesus provides the Breath of Life (Genesis 2:7, Colossians 1:16-17). Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48). Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5).
There are three additional critical factors necessary for physical life: rest, healing, and blood. Once again, we find that Jesus satisfies both the physical and the parallel spiritual needs. Jesus provides rest (Matthew 11:25-30). Jesus is the great healer (Matthew 4:23-25). It is only the blood of Jesus which provides true success in life not only on earth but more importantly in the life to come (Ephesians 2:11-13).
Key Scriptures ~ “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls” (Leviticus 17:11a).
"Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood’” (Leviticus 17:13-14a).
“Just as the gazelle and the deer are eaten, so you may eat them; the unclean and the clean alike may eat them. Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life” (Deuteronomy 12:22-24a).
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body’.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:26-30).
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, 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 eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven — not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.’ These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum” (John 6:53-59).
“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones shall be broken.’ And again another Scripture says, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced’.” (John 19:31-37).
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:21-26).
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
Comment 1 ~ Blood is essential for ALL mammal life. If you would like to learn more about the significance of blood, I would suggest the eBook ”CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits” which reveals more than 20 benefits from the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. (https://books2read.com/ChristsBlood)
Comment 2 ~ You may find the previous ALN posts helpful:
“Blood Alphabet” (January 8, 2013), http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/2013/01/blood-alphabet.html
“7 Benefits of the Blood of Christ” (March 6, 2012), http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/search/label/blood?updated-max=2013-01-08T03:00:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=3&by-date=false
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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