In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Heb 9:22 Apart from the shedding of blood (haima blood, cheō to pour out, like the phrase found in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint, ekchusis haimatos, 1 Kings 18:28). “Pouring out of blood.” It seems that the writer of Hebrews has the word of Jesus in mind the words here. We can find them in Matthew 26:28: “This is my blood of the covenant which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The blood is the vital principle and is efficacious as an atonement for sin. The blood of Christ sets aside all other plans for pardon. Through the centuries men have come up with all kinds of alternative plans for the satisfaction of heinous sins (murder, rape, pedophilia and the like). Fines or sanctions do not work. While some of our “more enlightened” European neighbors still attempt this kind of punishment, a loss of personal wealth doesn’t seem to “even the score”, as it were. The offences are much too serious and society gets no sense of fairness or equality under the law when such fines are levied. Most of the current and popular alternative sentences have to do with confinement to prison and a loss of self-determination and sovereignty. “I find you guilty and so I place you in a detention center for a prescribed period of time.” It doesn’t really seem to work either. While the punishment is based on a loss of freedom there isn’t as much “reforming” taking place as its advocates claim. The rate of recidivism (the act of a person repeating an undesirable behavior after they have experienced negative consequences of that behavior), is at an all time high. A high percentage of convicts end right back in prison. Personally I have always liked some form of judicial exile as a form of punishment for high crimes. Perhaps a murderer loses his or her rights as a citizen. If one is found guilty of such crimes, they should be explicitly refused permission to return to society, and are threatened with imprisonment or death if they return illegally. It can be an effective form of punishment. In other words if you refuse to live in harmony with the social contracts of our society, you will be banished from it forever. Not just a penal colony like Devils island, but instead a place of permanent banishment from the general populace appeals to my sense of justice. Of course you can immediately see why it would not work either. In the present sad state of the immigration system in the U.S. those found guilty of such wickedness would not only be allowed to sneak back in but would somehow get immediate access to healthcare, welfare and an Obamaphone. Yes, the problem of sin is real, and a real problem. Scripture tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. In the Old Testament it was necessary to temporarily atone for the sins of those found guilty under the law on a year to year basis. With apologies to Verizon and T-Mobile, it was truly the first “pay as you go” system. It was bloody but only temporary. It was necessary to completely atone for the sins of … well, sinners. (that includes you, me and “usens”). It was necessary but everything was incomplete until the Cross of Calvary. But the shedding of blood is also efficacious. It covered the sins of everyone that wanted to be covered and forgiven. The Children of Israel were told of the capital punishment of the Egyptians on the night of the Passover. Every first born son would die by the visitation of the death angel. There was only one way in which they could live. The blood of an innocent lamb had to be taken and placed on the door post. It was an overt act of faith. This is the same way God forgives and overlooks our sin today, as well. We need to claim the blood of the Jesus the Lamb of God, and place it on the entryway of our heart. It is the doorway. It is the only way. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission. I appreciate your comments and even your disagreements. Please “Share” these thoughts with your friends if you feel they are important or have been a blessing.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:44:28 +0000
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