The Incredible Cleansing Power of The Blood Of Jesus
Oh, to be Pure and Holy
by Terry Somerville
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His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, 2Peter1:3
Dear Friends
Most Christians understand that Jesus fulfilled the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb and the sin offering made for us at the cross. But did you know He also fulfills the Sacrifice of the Red Heifer for our cleansing!
As it says
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tTabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 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. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a (red) heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 9:11-14
Here are the Sacrifices Christ Fulfills
1. Jesus Is Our Passover Lamb
"....for Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed" 1 Cor.5:7
In Egypt the Israelite slave took a lamb without spot or blemish and after three days they killed and sprinkled its blood on the doorposts of their homes. Afterwards the Angel of Death 'passed over" their homes but struck down the first born in the homes of the Egyptians. The Passover forever separated the people of God from the people of the world. Christ has done this for us. The blood delivered from the final judgment on Egypt, and Christs blood keeps us from the final judgment that will come on the world.
2. Jesus Is Our Sin Offering
Christ fulfills the sin offering performed once a year of the 'blood of goats and bulls' described in Leviticus-16. The Blood of the 'bullock' was atonement for Aarons sin and sanctifies the tabernacle, and blood of the goat was atonement for the sins of people.
6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat.9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
Christ took our sins upon Himself. Notice that the High Priest Aaron confesses the sins of Israel over the goat to make atonement. The people didn't do this, it was done for them. This indicates what Christ did this FOR US, we don't do it. We accept it. Our sins are atoned for by Christ.
3. Jesus Is Our Trespass & Guilt Offering
The trespass and guilt offering are similar. If someone unknowingly sins, and later realizes it , he presents an animal for sacrifice for the sin. The sinner takes the initiative. In the case of a guilt offering the person also is able to make restitution. (Note: there is no sacrifice for willful sin).
5 when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. 6 As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin. Leviticus 5:5-6
Christ is our guilt offering. As John said
'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John1:9
Notice we must confess our sin, and He makes atonement for it. We are forgiven and cleansed. We see Christ died to atone for sin. But where does cleansing come from?
4. Jesus Fulfills the Sacrifice of the Red Heifer
Most believers have never heard of this, and that is why perfect cleansing of our heart is not preached. But it is always preached in revival. It was preached in many of the denominations we have today, like the Methodists (United Church) and the Salvation Army.
13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a (red) heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 9:13-14
Number 19 describes what would happen. It is quite long so I will summarize it here. A red heifer is sacrificed outside the camp. After the temple was built this was on the Mount of Olives. The heifer is completely burned and the priest is unclean. The ashes are gathered and taken to the temple and mixed with running (living) water. This mixture is used to purify those who become defiled by contacting a dead body. This is what the bible means when it talks about the water of cleansing. Jesus fulfills this sacrifice along with blood of goats and bulls described in Hebrews 9.
The events of the Crucifixion fulfill the Red Heifer sacrifice as well.
What Happened At The Crucifixion?
a. The early church Fathers all say the place of Crucifixion was Mount olives. It is also the correct distance outside the City to fulfill levitical instruction (the traditional sites are not )
b. The road from the mount to the city was called the place of the head "head road' - Where the Romans counted heads during the census. Golgotha is this very public place of execution.
c. The Romans would execute criminals at the scene of their crime (ie: the road going into Jerusalem- proclaiming Him as king) or the place of arrest in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. This is the same road down the mount and up into Jerusalem. Christ was put to death by one who was unclean - a Roman. The Red Heifer was sacrificed by a priest who was unclean
d. The Kedron Valley between the mounts is full of tombs so the Jews would build a causeway over the valley to the temple for the sacrifice of the Red Heifer. It was only done nine times in Israels history.
e The centurion at Jesus Crucifixion needed to be on the Mount of Olives at the place where the red Heifer is sacrificed to see what took place.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:51-54
Christ Paid For Our Cleansing From the Old Dead Man
Do you see how in the Old Testament "cleansing water' from the red heifer sacrifice purified from the defilement of a dead body? Hebrews 9 says the blood of Christ purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the Living god. Oh how most Christian are struggling against that old man, who is "dead in trespass and sin'. Fear, envy, uncleanness, anger, lust and impure thoughts, selfish ambition, bad temper etc. We have been taught this is a lifelong process, but it's not! It is paid for and you can be cleansed.
The revivalists all preached 'Holy Unto The Lord" The hymns say it "Have you been to Jesus for the CLEANSING POWER, are you washed in the blood of the lamb?". It's not forgiveness only. It's "CLEAN CLEAN WONDERFULLY CLEAN". How can we possible obey Jesus commands to "be ye perfect as the Father is perfect" or "be ye Holy as the Father is Holy"? Like salvation, it is received by faith and lived with humility and consecration.
"would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There's power in the blood, power in the blood, Sin stains are WASHED in it's life giving flow, there's power in the blood of the lamb."
Admit you need this and it will be a new beginning with God. Humble yourself,confess you can't accomplish purity and holiness. After all, how has it been going so far? You NEED A MIRACLE, and He will wash your heart and soul clean.
Blessings In Jesus
Terry
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