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Sermons

"WHY ALL THE BLOOD?"
EPISTLE SCRIPTURE TEXT:
HEBREWS 9:15-22

DAVE RING, PASTOR
LOS ALAMOS 1ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 2, 2008

A COMMUNION MEDITATION FOR LENT

Scripture Text: 15For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 16In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." 21In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. - Hebrews 9:15-22 (New International Version)

Message: The event proceeds solemnly, without words, without commentary. It can be seen on a television screen, in a movie theater, and in real life. Two boys, each about nine years of age, enact an ancient rite whose origins are from antiquity. First one holds up his thumb and, ignoring the pain, slices it gently but firmly with a knife. Then the other does the same. The two thumbs are pressed together, blood mingling with blood, and a special, precious moment occurs for the two: They are now blood brothers, the most sacred bond of friendship possible among pre-teen boys. It's a childish ritual - but one not to be devalued by even the oldest and wisest among us. Something innate, deep within the hearts of both children and adults, tells us that a blood sacrifice - even between nine-year-olds, carries meaning and significance far beyond mere outward appearances.

While I served as pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Big Spring, Texas, I went with a group of youth and adults from that church to view Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ." Whether or not you've personally seen the film - and I do recommend it to you - you likely are aware that, when "The Passion" movie came out during the Lenten Season in 2004, it aroused considerable controversy. Some of that controversy was over the fact that it's a very bloody film. Frankly, I didn't understand that concern - because I wasn't a bit surprised by all the blood. I'd read the gospels - I expected it. The Crucifixion of Jesus wasn't neat and clean - it was nastily bloody.

Though it's not the most pleasant matter in the world for most of us the Bible dwells, at considerable length, upon the subject of blood. In quite a few parts thereof the Bible is, unapologetically, a bloody book. And the Scripture text we read today explains why. Blood is a very precious liquid among humans - it is the substance by which our lives are sustained. The Israelites of old understood that: "The life is in the blood." We still use the same sort of vocabulary when we refer to the "lifeblood" of an organism or organization - meaning the most significant, absolutely indispensable part thereof. Thus, whenever you find a reference to blood in the Bible, it may be a "gory" passage - but it's also likely to be an important passage.

Jesus Christ did many significant things while walking this earth: He taught, he healed, he counseled, he preached, he gave commandments. But all of those things, while important in their own right, fade into the background in relation to one essential element of the life of Christ. His death, ironically, was the high point of his earthly life. In his death, Christ made the supreme sacrifice of all time - for us. By shedding his blood, he covered over a multitude of sins - mine, yours, those of all humanity.

Had Christ done everything else that he did while on earth - the great miracles, the superb teachings, the fine examples set - it would all have gone for naught without this crowning achievement. Jesus might have been revered, honored, even exemplified, but men would have still lived and died without hope - bound forever in sin. Without the shedding of blood, without genuine sacrifice of a high order, there is no forgiveness of sin. Without the shedding of Christ's blood, the supreme sacrifice, there would be no forgiveness of sins for you or me.

As we prepare to receive Holy Communion this morning - which is, unashamedly, a remembrance of a bloody event, I ask you to meditate - think, ponder, pray - upon the broken Body and shed Blood of our Savior. Thank God that he did it - for us! Amen.

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