Leviticus 17  This chapter talks about blood... not the most pleasant topic.. but one we really need to understand. 

The first 9 verses give the commandments regarding the slaughter of any "ox, or a lamb, or a goat in the camp... or outside the camp..."  Every animal had to be presented at the tent of meeting.  "The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord.. "  (v5)  "And they shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. " (v7).   Anyone who did not obey this command was to be "cut off from among the people". (v4 and 8)  The blood of the sacrifice was to only be sprinkled on the altar of the Living God. There could be no atonement without the blood and the sacrifice being offered to the Lord God and Him only. 

Here were the people that God chose.. that made a covenant with Him.. those He rescued from Egypt with great signs and wonders.. but who were still practicing idolatry.  It is astounding to us that they couldn't seem to stop their sinning in this way!  But, God gave a serious penalty for those who did not follow this command.  He is a holy God who judges with all righteousness and although He shows mercy..  He will not ignore sin. 

Verses 10-16 speak of the commandment about eating blood.  No one .. whether Jew or alien among them.. was to eat blood.  The Lord explained the reason for this command.. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement."  Even the blood of a wild animal killed by a hunter had to be poured out "For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life." (v14) 

Our Savior shed His blood.. as He was beaten.. as a crown of thorns was thrust on His head.. as nails were pounded into His hands and feet.  Think of what Jesus said during the last Supper.. "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." 

I Peter 1: 18-19 says, ".... Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold..  but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."

John 6:53-58 "Jesus therefore said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him. As the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me.' "   This was an astounding Word to those who heard it. In verse 63 Jesus says, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."  

Jesus made atonement for our souls by His precious blood.. His life flowed out in that blood.. to give us eternal life.  We had no life in ourselves.. but when we believe and receive His Spirit.. we are partakers of His life. It is His broken body and poured out blood that we receive and live.  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven,  Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts higher than our thoughts.  From the beginning You created us as flesh and blood.. giving us physical life. Yet, we had no true life until You gave us the True food and the True drink.. the life of Jesus Christ the eternal Son.. broken and poured out so that we might have eternal life in Him..  We abide in Him and He abides in us as we receive His Life by His Spirit. It is astounding and amazing to us that You would give us such a treasure.. thank You for life in Christ Jesus the Lord. We offer our selves to You.. with all praise and thanksgiving.. May Your Name be glorified in all the earth! Amen.