It all goes back to the beginning.
In the garden when Adam and Eve sinned God killed an animal to use the skins to cover their nakedness. This was the first shedding of blood in the history of the world and it signified that God placed his relationship with man above His relationship with the rest of creation. He was able to make the sacrifice because He knew that Jesus was already slain before the foundation of the world and therefore that the blood of that animal - and all subsequent sacrifices, had already been paid for on the cross. The shedding of blood established a covenant between God and man which was an agreement that their sins would be covered over so that they could continue to have a relationship with God. Thereafter the blood of a goat or lamb was required to symbolise that covenant - foreshadowing the blood of Jesus which would take away the sins of the world once and for all.
The shedding of blood is therefore crucial to the establishing of a covenant. It can be seen throughout the old testament whenever God is doing something important between Himself and man. And it can also be seen in one special act between people - the act of sexual consummation. Which is why sex equals marriage in God's eyes. When a woman loses her virginity blood is shed. Sealing the covenant between her and her husband.
On Good Friday Jesus was not only shedding His blood for the remission of our sins, He was also taking us to be His bride. His covenant with us is not just a legal 'document' but it is a contract of loving commitment to us for eternity. When we get married we promise to love and honour and submit and remain faithful till death us do part - but when Jesus takes us to be His bride He does so for ever. And He will never break His promise to us.He can't.
It is sealed in His blood.
Caz, there is such little understanding of covenant in the Church these days, the outworking of which is faithlessness, and flippant disregard for the deep things of God. Thank you for this!
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