For most people, the sight of blood evokes an unpleasant response, both emotional and physiological. Blood is often associated with the beginning and end of life. We shy away from anything to do with blood.
To the ancient Jews, blood played a significant role in their lives. Blood was the essence of a living being. This conviction underlies two foundational prohibitions that apply not only to Jews but to all of humanity; the ban on consuming blood and the ban on murder.
Because blood represents the life-force, consuming it is akin to symbolically consuming a creature’s life- force. Which is disrespectful and inhuman.
In the 15th chapter of Acts, the Jerusalem council strictly prohibited the consuming of blood, which was done at the pagan temple.
Blood is never neutral. It delineates boundaries, between life and death, purity and impurity, humans and God. It can both pollute and can purify.
In temple worship, the blood of an innocent animal could be used as a sign of repentance, an act of forgiveness or even for blessings received.
Blood can signal harm, and it can bring protection, as in the Exodus story. The blood above the door saved those within.
These seemingly contradictory qualities arise because blood is imagined as the container of life itself. Anything that contains, releases, transfers, or threatens life holds immense religious weight.
Jesus’ blood on the cross, takes on greater significance when we understand the true meaning of what His blood now means to us.
Blood becomes a type of covenant. A covenant that is extended to those who have accepted His blood sacrifice as a substitute for our sins.
Blood, therefore, is not merely biological, but theological. It stands at the meeting point of body and soul, human and divine.
Now you know about blood!
AbideLines 