February 2, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"Without the shedding of blood is no remission." — Hebrews 9:22 · KJV
This is the voice of unchanging truth. In none of the Jewish ceremonies were sins removed, even in symbol, without the shedding of blood; in no case, by no means, can sin be pardoned without atonement. It is clear, then, that there is no hope for me apart from Christ, for there is no other shedding of blood worth a thought as an atonement for sin. Am I, then, believing in Him? Is the blood of His atonement truly applied to my soul? All are on a level in their need of Him. However moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic we may be, the rule will not be bent to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing less powerful than the blood of Him whom God has set forth as a propitiation. What a blessing that there is one way of pardon! Why should we seek another? People of merely formal religion cannot understand how we can rejoice that all our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake. Their works and prayers and ceremonies give them very poor comfort — and well they may be uneasy, for they are neglecting the one great salvation and trying to get remission without blood. My soul, sit down and behold the justice of God, bound to punish sin; see that punishment fully carried out on your Lord Jesus, and fall down in humble joy to kiss the dear feet of Him whose blood has made atonement for you. When conscience is aroused, it is useless to flee to feelings and evidences for comfort — that is a habit we learned in the Egypt of our legal bondage. The only cure for a guilty conscience is a sight of Jesus suffering on the cross. "The blood is the life thereof," says the Levitical law; and be assured it is the life of faith and joy and every other holy grace. Oh, how sweet to see the flowing of my Savior's precious blood, and to know with divine assurance that He has made my peace with God!