All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25)
When the people said that, they were saying, “We take responsibility for Jesus’ death. Put the blame on us.”
Yet ironically, there on the cross, Jesus took the blame for all of our sin. He took the punishment for our sins.
And now, in a different sense from how the people meant it, Jesus’ blood is on us.
When God made the first covenant with the people, they were sprinkled with the blood of calves and goats, and Moses said, “This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.” (Hebrews 9:20)
Why were they sprinkled with blood? Because without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22)
But the blood of bulls and goats could not truly take away sin. Those sacrifices only reminded people of their sin and pointed to what Jesus would later do on the cross. (Hebrews 10:1-4)
But now Jesus has entered the true tabernacle, the true temple which is heaven, with his own blood, and he has bought our salvation. (Hebrews 9:11-12)
That’s why the curtain was torn in the earthly temple when Jesus died. That curtain was a sign of the separation between God and his people.
But by tearing that curtain, God was saying, “You have now been sprinkled with the blood of the new covenant. Your sins are forgiven. And now you have free access to me.” (Matthew 26:28)
So let us remember the words of the author of Hebrews.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)
Christ’s blood is upon us. Let us rejoice, and draw near.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 