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“sprinkling of [the] blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:2). Nowhere in the New Testament do we get a literal sprinkling of Christ’s blood on anyone or on anything. |
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Christ’s physical blood was actually shed out, but this was after He had actually died (John 19:31-34). No doubt, this was necessary for more than one reason, but it would have had the effect of satisfying Jews who would have thought in terms of physical blood, being steeped in their sacrificial system. |
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It may be mentioned here that the sprinkling of the blood was for the eye of God: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13; see also Hebrews 11:28); washing in the blood of the Lamb suggests the effect of the blood on us: “These are they who... have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14; see also chapter 1 verse 5). One cannot be dogmatic about the foregoing without considering every passage of Scripture where sprinkling and washing are mentioned. However, the general purport of the two expressions should be noted. |
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Finally, it is important to see that we are not saved by death and blood shedding as if they were two different things, but rather we get the benefit of the death of Christ for us when we apply, so to speak, by faith its value to ourselves; in other words, have “faith in his blood” (Romans 3:25). |
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October 2003 |