Saved by "blood" or saved by Jesus Christ?

Recently, another one of our users, Brad Cole, posted an amazing and meaningful interpretation of the common Christian term "saved by the blood." We've all heard it used and most of us have uttered those words at some point in our lives.

The real question is, does "blood" really save us or is it a word picture - a metaphorical concept meant to give us insight into a much greater truth? Check out Brad's beautiful explanation below.

To me, the blood of Jesus reveals the single all important truth - the truth about God.

John 6:53 Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them to life on the last day. 55 For my flesh is the real food; my blood is the real drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me, and I live in them. 57 The living Father sent me, and because of him I live also. In the same way whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This, then, is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread that your ancestors ate, but then later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever."

When we internalize the true meaning of the blood and the body of Jesus and, like bread and wine, it diffuses throughout our body (mind), what effect does it have?

Jesus continues...

John 7:37 "Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and whoever believes in me should drink. As the scripture says, "Streams of life-giving water will pour out from his side.' "

What is it that we drink? What poured out of his side?

John 18:34 One of the soldiers, however, plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out 35 (The one who saw this happen has spoken of it, so that you also may believe. 36 What he said is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth.)

Now we are back to the meaning of why Jesus had to die. What is the meaning?

Jesus continues...

John 7:39 Jesus said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were going to receive. At that time the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not been raised to glory.

How is the Spirit involved in all of this drinking of blood and eating of bread and pouring of water?

John 14:17 He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God.

John 15:26 The Helper will come-the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God and who comes from the Father.

John 16:13 When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth.

What truth about God does the Spirit reveal? Would it not be the truth that Jesus revealed?

Revelation 12:11 They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed.

Revelation 19:10 I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Don't do it! I am a servant together with you and with other believers, all those who hold to the truth that Jesus revealed. Worship God!"

Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been executed because they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed and the word of God.

What truth did Jesus reveal? What is this truth that sets us free?

John 14:6 Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. 7 Now that you have known me," he said to them, "you will know my Father also, and from now on you do know him and you have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father; that is all we need." 9 Jesus answered, "For a long time I have been with you all; yet you do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.

What greater truth could there be than that God the Father is just like Jesus?

Hebrews 1:3 He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being.

The life and death of Jesus, culminating in his death and spilled blood at Gethsemane and on the cross, reveals the love of God...the character of God. It reveals the truth about God. This revelation about God, was Jesus mission:

John 17:4-6 I have shown your glory on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do. ....[and what work was that??]
I have made you known to those you gave me out of the world

Isn't this truth about God and his graciousness, THE good news? Wasn't this Paul's mission as well?

Acts 20:24 But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News about the grace of God.

What does this truth about God, revealed by his blood do to us?

Mark 14:24 Jesus said, "This is my blood which is poured out for many, my blood which seals God's covenant.

What is the new covenant?

Jeremiah 31:31 The Lord says, "The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. Although I was like a husband to them, they did not keep that covenant. 33 The new covenant that I will make with the people of Israel will be this: I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Jesus blood (the meaning of it which is in essence the truth about God) heals and restores...it results in re-birth.

- Brad Cole