That still doesn’t answer the question. The story of Adam and Eve says that they were created perfect…ie immortal! Sin is what led to the destruction of the material world. Jesus was prepared to repair that in dying-shedding of the blood of the lamb-SACRIFICE. Somehow SACRIFICE was the only way to win victory over Death and Hades. But why is Death an entity itself. Why was it required to shed Pure, Innocent Blood for the Salvation of Mankind? Why is Blood so important in the bible? Why did God the Father require this or is it Death that demanded it?
Part of it has to do with covenants.
Once you enter into a coveannt, you don’t get out of it. Covenants never end until one of the parties dies. Jesus died to end the old covenant.
Covenants are also entered into with an oath, a shared meal, a sacrifice and blood.
***Hence even the first covenant was not ratified without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant *
which God commanded you." (Hebrews 9:18:20)
All covenants were entered into with an oath between parties. They swore never to break the agreement with an oath. There was usually a shared meal. Meals were very private back then, and to share a meal with someone meant that you had a special relationship with that person. Covenants also included a sacrifice. The sacrifice was a way for each party in the covenant to agree that what happened to the animal will happen to them if they break the covenant. Lastly, covenants are sealed with the blood of the animal. Without blood there is no covenant. Jesus was the lamb, the sacrifice of the new covenant which was sealed in his blood.
The old covenant, which Israel entered into with God at Mt. Sinia, clearly laid out the blessings which come with faithfullness and the curse that comes with unfaithfullness.
***I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:m I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, *
(Deuteronomy 30:19)
The punishment for unfaithfulness to the covenant was death. Death was demanded when one was unfaithful to the covenant. God knew of human weakness and in his mercy, he gave the Israelites animal sacrifice to satisfy the demands of the covenant. When someone transgressed the covenant, instead of being put to death, they would bring a sacrifice to the Temple. The animal would die in place of the person. The priest would lay his hand on the head of the animal and pray, transferring the sin of the person to the animal, and the animal would die in place of the person to atone for sin.
he shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. (Leviticus 1:4)
Jesus’ death satisfied the demands of the old covenant “once for all.” The blood of animals could never satisfy the demands of the covenant perfectly - Jesus perfect blood was required to do this. This is the whole point of the book of the Letter to the Hebrews.
Jesus sacrifice satisfied the old covenant because he is the perfect passover lamb, and his sacrifice and blood sealed the new covenant.
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28)
It’s all about covenants. Jews were people of the covenant. The Bible is a story of covenants.
-Tim-
