God’s First Blood Sacrifice. God offered every fruit from the Garden of Eden to our first parents, Adam and Eve, to enjoy. One fruit that was forbidden by God, the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They transgressed against God’s command not to eat of that fruit. As a consequence, they blamed God and each other. Instead of the usual daily communion with God, they covered their nakedness with large fig leaves and hid from Him. But God sought out Adam and Eve for their usual fellowship. Then He killed the first animal and made for them garments of skins and clothed them. (Gen 3:21 ESV). The blood sacrifice was to cover for the sins of Adam and Eve, until Christ comes.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned– (Rom 5:12 ESV)
After the Great worldwide Flood, Noah continued the practice of offering clean animals as offerings to God (Gen 8:20). Job also did the same (Job 1:4-5).
The first emperors of China also offered animal sacrifices. In the Shu Jing (Book of History of Book of Documents), it records that in the year 2230 B.C., the Emperor Shun “sacrificed to Shangdi.” This Shangdi is the Supreme God of the ancient Chinese. This ceremony was continued in China for over four thousand years, up until the fall of the Manchus in A. D. 1911.
Animal sacrifices are still offered once a year in many religious practices. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb 10:3-4). God is not pleased with these annual animal sacrifices. “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure” (Heb 10:5-6).
God’s Last Blood Sacrifice – The Blood of the Lamb of God
God is only satisfied with one perfect sacrifice – that of the Lamb of God!
Jesus entered once for all into the holy places by means of His own blood. His blood can purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Heb 9:12-14).
Are we like our first parents, hiding from God? How do you feel after you have tasted the forbidden pleasures of the world? Many people suffer the side-effects of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. These may be depression, shame, lethargy, bitterness, misunderstandings, and loss of money. Others lose their health, jobs, marriage and families.
As Christians, we ought to draw near to the throne of grace so that we can receive mercy and grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:15-16). Having received Jesus Christ by faith, we should no longer run away or hide from the Holy God. We should look to Jesus as our example. His indwelling Holy Spirit is our Helper, Counsellor and Guide.
We must die to our old self by reckoning our old self crucified with Jesus Christ on the Cross. Only when we have died daily to self then can we live daily for Jesus. This is a life-long process. Hold fast to your confidence in Christ to the end (Heb 3:6, 14).
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
