"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (Hebrews 9:22).
"In him we have redemption; through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
Why did Jesus have to die? He is the Son of God. He has all authority on earth and in heaven. Yet, he died a cruel and excruciating death. Why?
The answer is found in Hebrews 9:22.
"Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins."
This verse answers the why of the cross. If Christ had not shed his blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins.
But Jesus did die. He did shed his blood. In his blood is the forgiveness of sins. And, in Christ, you already have it. The death of Jesus Christ is the way of forgiveness.
What can we take from this? First, God desires to forgive. He doesn't want you to face the judgment and the penalty your sins deserve. Second, Christ was willing to carry out the desire of his Father. Consider these words, "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book'" (Hebrews 10:7).
Jesus died to do the will of his Father. He shed his blood to forgive your sins. There was no other way. And he is not going to die again. Consider this question: If you needed more forgiveness, what would Christ have to do again? Is he going to die again? Here is the good news - the blood Jesus shed one time was sufficient to take away all of your sins. Forgiveness is yours.
Remember, Christ shed his blood for you. This means your sins - all of them, past, present, and future - are forgiven. The cross of Christ is the way of forgiveness. Commit Hebrews 9:22 to memory, note it in your Bible, and rest in this powerful truth.
In Him,
Bob Christopher