The Blood of Jesus Christ

“…and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”
—1 John 1:7

How is it that the blood of Jesus Christ is able to cleanse us from all sin? The usual answer to this question comes down to this: Jesus died substitutionarily, so that we no longer have to pay for our sins. Orthodox as it may sound, we do not encounter this thought in Scripture. Nowhere do we read that Jesus Christ died in our place. It is also illogical. Such an expression would be to the point if we no longer had to die. But since even a believer still dies, Jesus Christ clearly did not die substitutionarily.

Certainly, Scripture teaches that Christ died “for us” (1). But not to spare us from death—rather, to save us out of death! Christ died in order to “on the third day” conquer death! It is by this way that He puts an end to death, and thereby also to sin (2). Christ did indeed die for our sins, but if He had not been raised, then according to Paul we would still be in our sins (3).

The blood of Jesus Christ of course refers to His sacrifice, i.e. to “the Lamb that was slain.” But how can a lamb that has been slain cleanse from sin? The answer is: because the slain Lamb has risen and therefore lives! (4) That is why He is able to cleanse! The blood of the Lamb speaks of the Sacrifice… that LIVES! When we walk in the light of this Victor, this will without fail give direction to our lives. Just as light dispels darkness, so the great Prince of Life cleanses us from all sin!

Footnotes
(1) 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:15
(2) 1 Corinthians 15:56–57
(3) 1 Corinthians 15:3,17
(4) Revelation 5:6

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