The Scourging Post

A cold, dark shadow slowly emerged from behind the tree. A sinister laugh was heard as the serpent slithered to the ground. The sun itself seemed to grow a few shades darker, and the animals all scurried to places of protection. Trembling and confused, Adam looked down at the half-eaten forbidden fruit in his right hand, then instinctually drew his other hand away from his wife, leaving her exposed as he sought to cover himself. Sin had made its entrance into the world through the gateway of the human heart.

What was God’s response to the humans who had willfully and knowingly sinned? God came to them. He came to sinful humans - not to bring condemnation, but to allow for confession; not to punish them, but to protect them; not to shame them, but to cover them. He made tunics of animal skins to cover Adam and Eve, and in doing so God Himself is the one who made the very first blood sacrifice.

The price of sin is life itself. 

For generations, the sins of people were symbolically placed upon unblemished animals. When sacrificed, these animals provided a substitutionary atonement for people. But, although the blood of an animal could provide a covering for sin; it could not provide an actual cleansing of the human heart.

Then Jesus came. 

The Word became flesh…and blood. He came near to sinful humanity - not to bring condemnation, but to allow for confession; not to punish us, but to protect us; not to shame us, but to cover us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Not to offer the blood of animals, but to offer Himself as the spotless Lamb of God. He carried the sins of the world to His cross, where He willingly gave His life by shedding His blood - His precious blood.

Not only did God make the first blood sacrifice, He made the final blood sacrifice - for you and me!