Why Did Jesus Have to Shed His Blood?

Caleb: Can I be honest? The blood part of all this makes me squirm. Why would a loving God need anything like that?

Hannah: That's a fair thing to squirm at, and I won't rush past it. There's a line in Hebrews that speaks to blood and remission of sin. Listen.

Scripture: According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.

Caleb: Okay, that's blunt. Is this just some old ritual from way back, or does it actually matter for me?

Hannah: Look at the scene around it. Moses had spoken every commandment to the people, then sprinkled blood on the book and on all of them.

Caleb: Wait, on the people too? So blood was part of how that first covenant began?

Hannah: That's what the passage shows. He called it the blood of the covenant God commanded, and even the first covenant wasn't dedicated without it.

Caleb: Fine, but Moses used calves and goats. Why does Jesus have to be part of it?

Hannah: The writer says the high priest went in year after year with blood that wasn't his own. Jesus offered himself, once, to put away sin.

Caleb: Himself. That's the part that gets me. I'm not sure I've ever done anything to deserve that.

Hannah: I don't think any of us have, me included. Hebrews says he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Caleb: So what does Hebrews say Christ does for us?

Hannah: Hebrews says Christ appears in God's presence for us. I'd love for you to know him too. I love you, truly.

Hannah: Next time a regret follows you around, think of one weight you'd love to set down. You can tell God honestly, 'God, I want to know you,' or reach out to me or a Christian friend. The door's open, and I'd love to have you follow here.