Blood and Law 

The author of Hebrews explains:

     "This is an illustration, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink, and various ceremonial washings.

     "When Christ came as high priest...he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, that is not man-made, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 

     "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God. 

     "For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance...now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 

     "In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it. A will is in force only when somebody has died. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood."

Next: the Blood of Christ