In both Covenants (Old and New) real blood was spilled and then verbally enjoined. After speaking all the precepts of the Law to the people, Moses sprinkled the blood of bulls and goats on the book and the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has enjoined unto you.”[1] After living and speaking all the precepts of the New Covenant, Jesus declared, “This is my blood of the covenant.” They each gave voice to the blood.

“Enjoin” is a legal term. It means to require, command, or direct someone with authority and emphasis. One can be enjoined to do something or be forbidden from doing something. In other words, with an injunction one can bind or loose, command or forbid. And it is the blood which is used in the injunction. We are used to saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ.” But are we used to commanding, “By the blood of Jesus Christ”? The former resides on the latter. The blood provides the legal ground that makes a request or a command in the Name valid. We are not only to claim the Name, but also declare the efficacy of the blood.

As we read in Hebrews 12:24, the blood speaks. And not only does it speak; it speaks better things than the blood of Abel. Do you remember what the blood of Abel proclaimed? “I’ve been murdered, Lord! Cain murdered me, Lord! He’s a murderer!”[2] The blood of Abel, righteous as he was, cried out condemnation. Not so the blood of Jesus. Even as He was bleeding to death on the cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”[3] His blood declares that our sins are paid for, that they are remitted and exchanged for the righteousness of God.[4]

Oh, there is holiness in the blood! Did you know that the blood of Jesus Christ drives out demons? And do you know why? Because it is holy! It drives out the unclean thing. The blood of animals in the Old Covenant would purify the ceremonially unclean. The blood of the New Covenant purifies us from all defiling elements: sin, iniquity, transgressions, and the parasites that live off them—unclean and evil spirits. It drives them out. The blood of Jesus Christ drives demons out. It drives them out because it speaks. It says to them, “I have overcome![5] You are dispossessed![6] I have taken all authority, all power from you![7] I have taken the keys of death and hell![8] My blood says you are condemned to be tormented in the lake of fire forever and ever![9]” The blood speaks all these things, but it needs an organ of speech to operate through. Like the priests who blew trumpets over the sacrifices[10], we need to trumpet the triumph of the blood over the tyranny of the devil!

Because the blood speaks and declares the righteousness of God, we must speak of the blood. If we declare what the blood says, then we have a sign and a witness. It’s the blood, it’s the blood, it’s the blood! It is the blood that bought us. It is the blood that saved us. It is the blood that cleanses us. And it is faith in that blood that sets us free from tormenting demons that say we are lousy, no good, sin-filled, lowlifes.[11] It is the blood of Jesus Christ that clears the conscience of the worshipper. Therefore, we worship Him for His blood.

Hebrews 13:10-15
¹⁰ We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
¹¹ For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
¹² Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
¹³ Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
¹⁴ For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
¹⁵ By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Blood is contained in verse 15 in the term “sacrifice.” It draws our attention to our altar, the cross of Christ where His blood was sacrificed to sanctify us. Our worship is made possible by His blood. Because it has been sprinkled upon us in covenant, we can declare to the world and the spirit kingdom its power and protection. Because it binds us together in covenant community, we can celebrate its saving grace with one another and worship God with thanksgiving for redeeming us with the blood of the Lamb.

[1] Heb 9:18-21
[2] Gen 4:10-11; Matt 23:29-36
[3] Luke 23:34
[4] Rom 3:24-26
[5] 1 John 5:5-6; Rev 5:5-6
[6] Col 2:14-15
[7] 1 Pet 3:21-22
[8] Rev 1:18
[9] Rev 20:10
[10] Numb 10:10; 2 Chr 29:27
[11] If you thought that was just you condemning yourself, think again! Accusation is a major weapon of the enemy of our souls. That is why the Lord gave us judgment to counter it. When the enemy accuses us—either directly or through his minions—we are to remind them that they were judged at the cross. By His blood we are set free and they are condemned.