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Blood
Blood is the red liquid that comes out of a person’s skin when a person is injured or cut. Blood carries throughout the body all the things that the body needs to live. Blood is a symbol of life (see: Leviticus 17:13-14). However, when blood is shed or poured out, this is a symbol of the loss of life. That is, it is a symbol of death.
In the Old Testament, Israelites killed animals and sprinkled the blood of the animals onto the altar. They did this to begin the covenant they had with God (see: Exodus 24:3-8). The blood of sacrifices was also used as a symbol. It represented cleansing people from when they sin. That is, God forgave the people when they offered sacrifices. It also represents setting people apart for serving God (see: Exodus 29:12-21; Leviticus 16).
In the New Testament, Jesus shed his blood on the cross. When Jesus shed his blood, God gave Jesus the punishment that people deserved. This needed to happen so that there could be peace between God and people (see: Acts 20:28; Romans 5:9; Colossians 1:20). His shed blood cleanses people from when they sin. That is, when Jesus died, God forgave people for sinning against him. Jesus shed his blood also to begin the new covenant with his people (see: Matthew 26:28).
See: Symbol; Sacrifice; Altar; Covenant; Clean and Unclean; Sin; Serve (Servant; Slave); Forgive (Forgiveness); Set Apart; Cross; Punish (Punishment); Peace; Atone (Atonement); Save (Salvation); New Covenant