Morning, February 2
Go To Evening Reading
“Without the shedding of blood is no remission.”
Hebrews 9:22
This is the voice of unalterable truth. In none of the Jewish ceremonies
were sins, even typically, removed without blood-shedding. In no case,
by no means can sin be pardoned without atonement. It is clear, then,
that there is no hope for me out of Christ; for there is no other
blood-shedding which is worth a thought as an atonement for sin. Am
I, then, believing in him? Is the blood of his atonement truly applied
to my soul? All men are on a level as to their need of him. If we
be never so moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic, the rule will
not be altered to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing
less potent than the blood of him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation.
What a blessing that there is the one way of pardon! Why should we
seek another?
Persons of merely formal religion cannot understand how we can rejoice
that all our sins are forgiven us for Christ’s sake. Their works, and prayers, and ceremonies, give them very poor
comfort; and well may they be uneasy, for they are neglecting the
one great salvation, and endeavouring to get remission without blood.
My soul, sit down, and behold the justice of God as bound to punish
sin; see that punishment all executed upon thy Lord Jesus, and fall
down in humble joy, and kiss the dear feet of him whose blood has
made atonement for thee. It is in vain when conscience is aroused
to fly to feelings and evidences for comfort: this is a habit which
we learned in the Egypt of our legal bondage. The only restorative
for a guilty conscience is a sight of Jesus suffering on the cross.
“The blood is the life thereof,” says the Levitical law, and let us rest assured that it is the life
of faith and joy and every other holy grace.
“Oh! how sweet to view the flowing
Of my Saviour’s precious blood;
With divine assurance knowing
He has made my peace with God.”