Bloody Holiness 

From a column in WORLD magazine

     Blood sacrifice was common in the ancient world. Those prescribed by God's law reassured his people their sins would be forgiven, and their guilt removed by substitution. 

     Holiness was understood by everything from clothing to food to homes to special days and more. 

     But the Tabernacle represented a sharp contrast between the people and their God. They could never conform to God's standard of holiness. And neither can we.

     They expected their Messiah, not Jesus. He overturned God's laws of holiness. He touched corpses and lepers. He invited the blind and lame into Temple courtyards. He called scrupulous law-keepers "blind guides." He honored women and children. 

     They maneuvered the reluctant Roman governor to execute him.

     Ancients understood holiness better than moderns. They understood the gap between human and divine, and that blood was the holiest thing they could offer - their own, or a substitute's. 

     Jesus bridged the gap. How do we explain his breaking so many Levitical rules? Did he invade the world of holiness to open holiness to all? 

     One final sign: The temple curtain was torn from top to bottom. 

     Decades later, in John's vision, Revelation, chapter 5, 24 elders in heaven sang to the Lamb: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign on the earth.

-  Janie B. Cheaney