Jesus Died To Shed His Blood

"Jesus Died to Shed His Blood"

Introduction
This lesson draws special attention to the purpose behind Jesus’ death: to shed His blood. While it may seem like a repetition of the gospel message, it deserves deeper reflection. Jesus did not die merely as a martyr or moral example — He died to shed His blood for the remission of sins. Without that shedding, His death would have no power to save. Hebrews 9:22 declares, “Without the shedding of blood is no remission.” That truth, grounded in both the Old and New Testaments, anchors this message.

The Lifeblood Principle in the Old Testament
From the days of Noah, God emphasized the sanctity and symbolism of blood. In Genesis 9:3–4, He commanded Noah not to eat blood, stating that “the blood is the life.” Blood, even in physical terms, represents life — as vital to the body as oil and gas are to an engine. Leviticus 19:26 reaffirms this law under the Mosaic system: “Ye shall not eat anything with the blood.” Why? Because God was teaching that blood was sacred and set apart — it represented life and, ultimately, atonement.

The Passover Blood: A Preview of Salvation
In Exodus 12, God commanded the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). That blood served as a token of protection and deliverance — not by the power of the lamb, but by obedience to God’s instruction. The blood of the Passover lamb foreshadowed the blood of Christ, the true Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

The Role of Animal Blood in the Law of Moses
Leviticus 17:11 reveals God’s system of atonement: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood... it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Animal sacrifices were offered continually, especially on the Day of Atonement (Exodus 30:10), yet Hebrews 10:4 makes clear: “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.” These sacrifices merely pointed toward Christ’s perfect offering. The blood was essential — not the death alone — because “the shedding of blood” was God’s required payment for sin.

The High Priest and the Blood Sacrifice
Hebrews 9:7 says the high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year, “not without blood,” to atone for the people’s sins. This continued for centuries until Jesus, our High Priest, entered heaven itself — not with animal blood but with His own, once for all (Hebrews 9:12). The Old Testament system was a shadow of the perfect atonement Christ would accomplish through His shed blood.

The Cross: Not Just Death, But Shedding of Blood
When Jesus died, He shed His blood intentionally. John 19:34 tells us a soldier pierced His side, and “forthwith came there out blood and water.” This wasn’t a coincidence — it fulfilled God’s plan. His blood was the price for our salvation. Without it, even His death would be powerless to redeem. Jesus didn’t just die — He died to shed His blood.

The Lord’s Supper: A Weekly Proclamation of the Blood
When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in Mark 14:23–24, He said, “This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many.” The cup represents His blood — the blood that sealed the covenant and saves the soul. Yet many partake of the supper casually or carelessly. Paul warned in 1 Corinthians 11 that those who fail to examine themselves bring judgment upon themselves. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper without reverence is not communion — it’s condemnation.

Christ’s Blood Still Cleanses Today
While the blood of animals had limited effect, the blood of Christ accomplishes eternal redemption.

• 1 John 1:7 – “The blood of Jesus Christ... cleanseth us from all sin.”

• Revelation 1:5 – Jesus “washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

• Hebrews 13:12 – He sanctified the people with His own blood.

• Romans 5:9 – “Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

• Revelation 5:9 – He redeemed people “by thy blood” from every nation.

How Do We Come into Contact with the Blood?
The blood of Christ is available — but it must be accessed in the way God designed.

• 2 Peter 3:9 – God wants all to repent.

• Hebrews 11:6 – We must believe that He is.

• Matthew 11:15 – We must be willing to hear.

• John 14:15 – True love leads to obedience.

• John 6:27 – Labor for what leads to eternal life.

So, what must we do?

Exhaustive Sermon Outline:

• I. Introduction

  • Jesus died to shed His blood — not merely to die.

  • Hebrews 9:22 – “Without the shedding of blood is no remission.”

• II. Blood in the Old Testament

  • Genesis 9:3–4 – Blood = life.

  • Leviticus 19:26 – No blood in food.

  • Exodus 12 – Blood on doorposts at Passover.

• III. Blood and the Law of Moses

  • Leviticus 17:11 – Blood made atonement for sin.

  • Exodus 30:10 – Annual atonement with blood.

  • Hebrews 10:1–4 – Animal blood could not truly remove sin.

• IV. The Role of the High Priest

  • Hebrews 9:7 – High priest offered blood yearly.

  • Hebrews 9:12 – Jesus entered with His own blood.

• V. The Crucifixion: Purposeful Shedding

  • John 19:34 – Blood and water came from His side.

  • Death was the means; blood was the saving element.

• VI. The Lord’s Supper and Self-Examination

  • Mark 14:23–24 – The cup = blood of the covenant.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:30 – Unworthy partaking brings judgment.

  • Examine self: clean hands, pure heart, focused mind.

• VII. Power of Christ’s Blood

  • 1 John 1:7 – Cleanses from all sin.

  • Revelation 1:5 – Washes us.

  • Hebrews 13:12 – Sanctifies us.

  • Romans 5:9 – Justifies and saves.

  • Revelation 5:9 – Redeems from every nation.

• VIII. Accessing the Blood

  • 2 Peter 3:9 – God desires all to be saved.

  • Hebrews 11:6 – Faith is required.

  • Matthew 11:15 – Hear and obey.

  • John 14:15 – Love = obedience.

  • John 6:27 – Labor for eternal life.

• IX. Plan of Salvation

  • Hear (Romans 10:17)

  • Believe (John 3:16)

  • Repent (Luke 13:3)

  • Confess Christ (Matthew 10:32)

  • Be baptized (Mark 16:16)

  • Walk in the light (1 John 1:7)

Call to Action:
Are you cleansed by the blood of Christ? Jesus shed His blood so that you could be forgiven — not through feeling, ceremony, or opinion, but through obedience to His plan. Examine yourself. Have you obeyed the gospel? If not, why not today? When God sees you, does He see the blood?

Scripture Reference List:

• Hebrews 9:22 – No remission without shedding of blood.

• Genesis 9:3–4 – Blood is life.

• Leviticus 19:26; 17:11 – Blood not to be eaten; it makes atonement.

• Exodus 12:6–13 – Passover blood delivers from judgment.

• Hebrews 10:1–4; 9:7–12 – Animal blood vs. Christ’s blood.

• John 19:34 – Blood and water from Jesus’ side.

• Mark 14:23–24 – Cup = His blood of the New Testament.

• 1 Corinthians 11:27–30 – Warning on unworthy Lord’s Supper.

• 1 John 1:7 – Cleansing from all sin.

• Revelation 1:5; 5:9 – Washed and redeemed by His blood.

• Romans 5:8–9 – Justified by His blood.

• 2 Peter 3:9; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 11:15; John 14:15; John 6:27 – God’s will for man’s salvation.

• Romans 10:17; John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32; Mark 16:16; 1 John 1:7 – The plan of salvation.

Prepared by Dwayne White