The Blood of Sprinkling

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

If the choice I have made of to-day’s text surprise you, my brethren, I must either believe that you are unaware of the symbolical depth and significancy of the history from which it is selected; or else that you are not acquainted with the aim and object of the Lord’s supper, to which it ultimately refers. If that rule of the ancient fathers is to be applied anywhere, “that one should read the Old Testament as though it were written throughout with the blood of Christ;” especially is it applicable to the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt. The opinion of Luther is, that “there is no passage in the whole Bible which may not be compared to a fruit-tree, from which, if one know how to shake it, abundance of refreshing and enlivening fruit will fall down,” and this is particularly applicable, where the Scriptures relate how the chosen people cast off the yoke of Pharaoh. Here, all has a deep, symbolical, and mysterious signification, which only finds its explanation in the miracles on Mount Golgotha, and at the cross of Christ. The meditations of to-day will, I trust, convince us of this, if, guided by our text, we contemplate the efficacy of the blood of Christ; and for this purpose let us direct our attention to the houses sprinkled with blood, and to the great passover.

I. The words of our text transport us to the dwellings of the children of Israel in Egypt. Regarding them merely as houses, there is little to be seen; but they have an allegorical signiflcancy, and refer to things the most important and interesting. We ourselves are dwelling-places, and the Scriptures frequently make use of this comparison with regard to us. “Whose house are we,” are the words of the Apostle Paul. In another place we are called living temples; and elsewhere we are compared to a city, or a number of habitations, in which there are various denizens. Who does not remember the beautiful allegory of Solomon, in the twelfth chapter of Ecclesiastes, where he compares man to a house, and speaks of the keepers of the house, which are the hands and arms; the grinders, which are the teeth; the windows, which are the eyes; the doors opening to the streets, which are the lips; and so on, following out the comparison. The Scriptures describe those who are regenerated as the abode of God and of his Spirit; while in the others Satan has his portion, for they are dwelling-places of sin, the world, and the flesh. In he unconverted world, as in a city, there are many different species of houses, some having a joyful and a happy exterior, but within nothing but misery and discontent; others having splendid shields and arms emblazoned without, while we rind nothing within but low occupations, and foolish if not vicious pursuits taking up the minds of their inhabitants. They are tombs of moral decay, abodes of corruption, and dwelling-places of sin and of death. The Israelitish house, to which our text refers, stands in the utmost danger, for the Lord is about to send his destroying angel to slay the first-born of man and beast. Yet what is this danger, compared with that which threatens us in our natural condition? Do you know the abyss into which Cain fell? or the depths which swallowed up Saul? or the dark thunder-cloud which gathered over the head of Judas 1 In them you may have some idea of the danger which lurks at your threshold. An adversary is hastening after you, who can destroy, not merely your body, but your soul, in the lowest pit of hell. A death awaits you, such as will remove you, not only from this beautiful earth, but from the presence of God! A judgment is impending over you, such as will cause you not only to weep tears of despair here, but through all eternity. If you pause a moment, you hear the voice from Ebal, thundering forth the words — “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book!” Contemplate the rich man in flames and torment, and listen to the frightful sentence of condemnation, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Pause a moment at these words and at this picture; for, as surely as the Lord liveth, you behold here the abyss open before you, which, if a Saviour had not interposed, must infallibly have engulfed you. The Israelitish dwellings, before which we stand in spirit to-day, are certainly severely threatened, but yet by no means lost without remedy. They can and will escape the judgment which hangs over them; and praise be to God that the same means of escape lie open to us; for while we hear the menance, we hear at the same time the blessed question — “Why will ye die, 0 house of Israel?” Although we are all deserving of death, yet no one need die who wills to save himself; the city of refuge is open to all who choose to flee thither; and what sinner can affirm that he is not included, when he hears the voice calling out — “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest?” The means which were appointed to save the Israelites are now at our disposal, and life or death depends on ourselves, whether we accept or refuse them. There are not many paths to heaven, although many have been described; not many ways of propitiating the favour of God; and not many doors to our Father’s house. Salvation is only to be found in one Person; there is only one name given among men whereby they might be saved, and only one entrance into the ark, for one only is necessary. Mary chose the good, not the better part; for only one is good!

By what means, then, were the houses in Egypt saved by blood 1 “Blood,” said the Lord, “shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood I will pass over you.” Most wonderful! And what then preserves us from his anger 1 It is blood also, and blood only; not the blood of the same Lamb which was made use of then, but the blood of the Lamb of God, — the blood of our great pledge and sacrifice. Search the Scriptures; examine the grounds on which rest the salvation and the happiness of the elect; you will find one thing only, and that is blood. Are they delivered? It is by the blood of the Son of God. Are they free? It is, as Zechariah says, “By the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.” Are they redeemed 1 Then it is not, as Peter testifies, “with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Are they cleansed from sin? John assures us “that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Are their robes washed? In the Apocalypse it is said, “And have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Are they justified? In the epistle to the Romans, they will find that they are “justified by his blood.” And Paul assures us in his epistle to the Ephesians, that “ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Are the elect privileged to enter joyfully into the holy of holies? They are so by the blood of Christ. Do they overcome all things 1 They overcome by the blood of the Lamb. Do they live? They have life through His blood. Thus all the goodness, grace, and compassion of God is ascribed in his word, to the blood of Christ — the only spring whence it all proceeds. And if a man is lost for ever, and condemned to eternal punishment.

the Scriptures know no other cause for it than this — that he has despised the blood of the Son of God, contemned it, and trampled it under foot.

The blood of the Lamb was the only means appointed to the Israelites by God, whereby they might escape the severe affliction which was about to visit the land of Egypt. Yet, although the means were presented to them, their safety was by no means thereby secured: they must make use of it themselves, and that according to the method appointed by Jehovah. What class of persons, think you, my brethren, would make use of those means 1 Certainly not those who thought in their folly, “We run no danger from the destroying angel.” Nor yet those unbelieving ones who said in their hearts, “What efficacy can there be in the blood of a lamb? and how shall this feeble remedy save us?” Such as these woukl not sprinkle the blood on the door-posts of their houses, and thus neglect the only thing in the whole world which could avail to save them. With justice, therefore, they would be struck by the plague. The others, on the contrary, who knew how to submit their natural reason to the commands of God, and who, fearing the impending judgment, and believing in the saving efficacy of the blood of the Lamb, implicitly followed the commands of God, remained secure, and were saved, in the midst of destruction. We are saved in a similar manner, by the blood of Christ; for it surely and infallibly can deliver those for whom it was shed; but yet those purchased ones must make use of this blood of sprinkling, and appropriate it to themselves. Like Israel, however, we cannot grasp at those means of safety, until we perceive the destruction which surrounds us, the danger which threatens us, and the curse which rests upon us. This, however, is not all: we must have a lively faith in the efficacy of Christ’s blood, and believe that, by his death, the dying Lamb washed away all our gigantic guilt: in short, be able, with heart-felt conviction, to say, “For me Christ fulfilled the law, and in my place he stood at the bar of judgment.”

Do you experience those feelings? Is your soul fired with an earnest desire to partake in the benefits of Christ’s precious blood? Are you ready to give up all for the certainty, that his blood was shed for you 1 If so, the allegory is now realized in you, of the moment when the believing Israelites hastened with their vessels to catch the blood of their deliverance. My brethren, now is the time; — rest firmly on the atoning sacrifice of the great Mediator; grasp it with sure confidence, as the only and certain ground of your hope; bear it as such constantly in your soul; and whatever blessings you may expect, expect them only for the sake of the blood which drops from the Cross. And what more will you require to do? The only thing which was necessary, you have done. The door-posts of your houses are sprinkled; and henceforward, you may sit in confidence and security under your own vine and fig-tree.

II. “And when I see the blood” saith the Lord, “/ will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” Listen to this glorious promise! Listen, and rejoice! Yes, the Almighty keeps his word. The Israelites experienced this, in their blood-besprinkled houses; for the destroying angel passed them over. Yet that which Israel experienced, is but a faint type of the mighty passover in which our dwellings are spared, protected by the blood of Christ. What is it that I behold in spirit? What a murderous train! What a host of terrors! What a banner of death! But I tremble not before them; for I am protected by a bloody bulwark, the merits of my pledge; and harmless to me they must pass over. Other enemies, however, arise — the countless multitude of my sins; and I know they could a thousand times condemn me; — silent and dumb, however, they must pass over, buried in the depths of forgetfulness. The prince of darkness, with his hellish train — unutterably stronger than I am — rises out of the abyss: nevertheless, even to touch me, is eternally forbidden him; and he too must pass over. Next comes Death, that gloomy king of terrors: — he knocks at my gate; but he beholds the blood. The murderous sword falls from his hand, and the destroyer is transformed into the angel of peace. The curse of the Almighty God now threatens me, like fiery flames descending around, and anguish and desolation in its train. Over my head the lightnings are flashing; but “pass over,” is still the cry. In short, whatever adversary or accuser it may be — whether Moses with the record of my sins, or the judge in my own bosom, or any thing whatever that is terrible or dangerous to man — all, all must pass over, on account of the blood which was shed for me, and which redeems me from death.

In every case the destroying angel passed over those houses in Egypt which were sprinkled with the blood; nevertheless it seems to me, that the people within them must have been in very different situations. I can imagine one of them, when he hears the groans of his dying neighbours, crying out in despair, “How should such miserable means as the blood on my door avail to save me?” Think you that the avenger will pass over this one? It seems to me, most certainly; for God, who appoints his path to the destroying angel, looks not at man’s weakness or strength of faith, but at the blood on the door-posts. Let us speak, however, to this doubting one. “Dost thou think that the blood has no power? if so, then wash it away from thy door, and see if thou wilt be saved?” What will he reply 1 “No, no!” he cries out, “for the sake of all this world can offer, I would not do so! Take not away the blood, but leave it still upon my door-posts!” Ye who are faint-hearted and timid in Zion, know well that there is a species of faith which lies concealed even in the midst of doubt. I can well imagine another of the Israelites, in whose heart, as he stands behind the blood-besprinkled door, there arises the anxious question — “If the blood can save him also, for in his life he has been wicked, and pre-eminent among evil doers?” Think you he has reason for asking this question? No, my brethren; if any one is spared, he will be so also. “Foolish man! dost thou imagine that God spares on account of worth or merit? He spares out of loving kindness and mercy, and inquires not who dwells within the house; but only if there be blood upon its door-posts: think of this, and rejoice.” I can picture to myself a third, who, when he hears the trumpet of the avenging angel sounding through the streets, in the first moment of consternation, forgets that the protecting blood is also sprinkled upon his door. What happens then? Fear and trembling overwhelm him; his hair stands on end; the chamber resounds with his cry of terror, “I am lost! I am lost!” for he sees only death and destruction before him. Most extraordinary scene! Despair without danger! a cry fior assistance whilst in the securest haven! Will the destroyer pass over this one also? Can you doubt for a moment? The blood is on his door-posts, and his trembling and quaking are groundless. 1 now imagine a fourth. He hears the sound of the destroyer in his neighbourhood, and the whistling through the air of his brandished scythe; but he looks neither upon the angel, nor on the dead bodies of the slain who have fallen his victims, nor upon himself and his own sins; on the contrary, overlooking every other object, he directs his gaze firmly and unchangeably to the blood upon his door; and now he thinks, God the faithful and true, has said, “The blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over yout and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” These are his thoughts and he stands calmly and peacefully by his door, watching the destroying angel, and saying, “Me he cannot harm;” for not even the faintest shadow of fear obscures the serenity of his soul. Would you not wish to participate in the happy state of this fourth Israelite, my brethren? Most assuredly you can do so, if you are serious in your wish, and if it proceed from the deeply-felt necessity of your heart: then, approach with joy the table of the Lord, and come, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, for Christ will give you rest! To this meal ye are welcome, for your hearts have been sprinkled with the saving blood of the Lamb, who was slain for your transgressions.

If we then are convinced of this, what should hinder us abiding henceforward in the houses of peace and tranquillity? Come on, ye adversaries of our souls, and say all that is in your power against us! So far are we from being afraid of your approach, that we would rather summon you before us, to raise and enliven our cheerfulness, by proving your impotency. Come on, dark majesty of hell! what seekest thou? Satan, God rebuke thee! who will condemn? who can accuse? for here is Christ! Come on, thou king of terrors! thou angel of death! we laugh at thy power. Where now is thy sting, thou disarmed one? thou hast been swallowed up in victory! Moses, herald of the law! man from Sinai and Ebal! step forward with thy tables, and with thy curses! Lo! the anathema falls powerless from thy lips! Sinners and transgressors though we be, we have been washed in the blood of Christ; and he is the fulfiller of the law; whosoever believes on him, is sanctified and made holy. Mine own heart, what hast thou to say against me? Hast thou forgotten the token upon my door? And dare the servant accuse where his king has acquitted? Be at peace, and remember, God is greater than thou, and knoweth all things. Pass over! all ye forms of terror! Pass over with the long register of my sins, with the fiery characters of the law, and with the frightful pictures of hell and of judgment. Ye can never make us tremble. For from behind our besprinkled door-posts, ye only appear to us as a dim procession faintly traced upon the wall, as flitting shadows, or as the airy forms of a dream! We embrace that mighty sacrifice perfected for us through all eternity, and cry out rejoicing, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”