In America I was told that the highly respected and celebrated preacher, John MacArthur, equates the blood of Jesus with the death of Jesus.  I don´t know why, but maybe he wants to cool down some sentimental talk about the blood in a sickening way.  We´re well aware of that over here too.
However, I disagree with that cursory attempt of making it a theological equilibrium or fuss. Indeed His blood has to do with His death, but the frequent reference to the blood of Jesus in the Bible is not put there by the Holy Spirit at random.

When the divinely inspired Word points to “the blood of His cross”, its cleansing power, its great price of our redemption, its ground of our justification, our refuge in our overcoming Satan, the theme of our “new song” in Heaven, etc., etc. it has to do with the death of Christ, oh yes, but its strong message is to signify the intensity of that atoning death.

So in our teaching this very afternoon on “the breaking of bread” we´ll by His grace dwell on “the communion (or participation – Greek: “koinonia”) of the blood of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16), and what that really means.  It´s true that “as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew (or proclaim) the Lord´s death till He come”  (1 Cor. 11:26), but I reiterate that the intensity of that unique death is His blood.

Now, this fellowship in His blood has many practical implications, not as a mysterious, Roman “sacrament” but as our very basis for our peace with God, the cleansing of our conscience, our farewell to our sinful past, our loving forbearance with every co-pilgrim, whom God has received (Rom. 14:3) on the merits of that blood.

Indeed, the practical implications are legion. Some can only be mentioned between you and God.  However, the efficiency and power of the blood is there.  Don´t belittle it, don´t be too “theological”, but join the voices of the new song of the Lamb!

July 25, 2015 - jn