“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sins.” Hebrews 9:22

Author Lee Strobel writes: “The central message of the Bible portrays God’s love for us, which prompted our redemption through the shedding of Jesus’ blood.”

With Easter fast approaching, the focus of the church is the death of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. Why is there so much emphasis on the death of Jesus? Why is there so much emphasis on his blood?

The verse above reminds us that according to the Bible the only way for someone to be forgiven is through the shedding of blood. In the Old Testament an animal would be sacrificed as a temporary sacrifice, but in the New Testament, Jesus comes to be the final sacrifice for sin for all who believe or trust in him.

Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead so that mankind could turn to God through the sacrifice of Jesus and find forgiveness and everlasting life. May I encourage you during this Easter season to consider the good news of Jesus who died for you so you might live.

Pastor John