Without the Shedding of Blood

When the author of Hebrews makes the negative case concerning the blood of Christ, its significance is far-reaching. Throughout the book, he makes the positive case that Christ’s blood can cleanse us from dead works. Still, later he says, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin” (Heb. 9:22). By saying it this way, he cuts off any other options we think we might have, yet we live in a world that believes there are many roads to God.

Earlier in the chapter, he tells us that God makes no covenants with man that do not require the shedding of blood. He goes on to say that almost everything was cleansed with blood in the Old Testament. The Tabernacle, the Book of the Law, and even the people were sprinkled with blood (Heb. 9:21). There could be no ceremonial cleanliness in the Old Testament unless a death had occurred, and these Old Covenant ceremonies were types and pictures of actual heavenly realities (Heb. 9:23).

Blood was required under Old Testament worship because the wages of sin is death. If God was going to paint a picture of the only way man could be right with God, death was a necessary component of that illustration. However, the pictures themselves were not sufficient. The blood of bulls and goats cannot take our place in bearing the wrath of God. They are not valuable enough to pay our debt.

If it was necessary for the Old Testament copies of the things in heaven to be cleansed with blood, how much more the heavenly things themselves, with a better sacrifice (Heb. 9:23). Christ did not enter an earthly copy of the Holy of Holies on our behalf to put away sin, he entered the presence of God (Heb. 9:24). To present us holy before the face of the Father, the blood of bulls and goats would be impotent. Instead, he offers his own blood—the one and only sacrifice that can take away sin.

When Hebrews says, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin,” it means without Christ’s blood. If we deny Jesus and his death on the cross, we have no forgiveness. We stand guilty before God himself, and we will bear the wrath we deserve.

• Many years may now stand between you and your greatest sins, but time does not erase guilt. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.

• You might think you can come to a point where your good deeds will outweigh your evil deeds. It will never happen. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.

• You might try relaxation and therapy techniques to eliminate the feelings of guilt plaguing your soul. Still, self-deception and manipulating emotions and anxieties do not remove actual guilt. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.

• You might claim victimhood and project your guilt onto everyone else. You might try to convince yourself and others that your evil actions resulted from the corrupt environment in which you find yourself. Blaming others cannot wash you clean. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.

• You might turn to countless rituals and false religions that reject Christ. You have no hope there. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.  

• There is no status you can attain in this life, no recognition, no popularity, no level of fame, no admiration of others, and no amount of political or social power can make you right with God. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.

All other options leave you hopeless, but there is hope. Jesus has died. His death can be counted as ours. We can be washed clean and live in his resurrection. If you trust in Christ, at this moment, he is standing before the face of the Father, presenting his blood on your behalf, and the Father nods in approval. Your Savior has put away your sin, and you are accepted in him. Through the new birth given by the Holy Spirit, you can be washed white as snow. So deep is the cleansing that even your conscience will agree that your guilt is gone (Heb. 9:14). Through the blood of Jesus, there is forgiveness of sin.

-D. Eaton