Leviticus 17:14

“For it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’”  – Leviticus 17:14

I grew up in a culture where eating dishes mixed with animal blood was normal. But when I gave my life to Jesus, a woman who discipled me showed me this verse and also pointed to Acts 15:20, where the apostles commanded believers to abstain from blood.

This wasn’t a command only for Israel. It goes back to Noah, when God said, “You shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” (Genesis 9:4)

When the Bible repeats a command multiple times, we cannot ignore it. Yet today, this is rarely preached from the pulpit. But it’s one of the non-negotiable instructions God gave His people.

Why?

Because “the life of the flesh is in the blood.” (Leviticus 17:11) Blood represents life.

The first mention of blood in the Bible was when Cain shed his brother Abel’s blood. The shedding of blood means the loss of life or death. “Without shedding of blood there is no remission [of sin].” (Hebrews 9:22)

And the wages of sin is death.

Blood was never meant for consumption, It was meant to make atonement. “It is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11)

At Passover, Israel placed the lamb’s blood on their doorposts not on the ground because the blood is not to be trampled on. And because of that blood, the angel of death passed over them.

In the same way, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, shed His blood for us. His blood cleanses, washes, and sanctifies us.

“We have been justified by His blood and saved from wrath.” (Romans 5:9)

“We have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)

“We are able now to boldly enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19)

“We overcame satan by the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 12:11)

So I ask you today:

Will you still consume blood, knowing what it truly represents?