Last December a movie based on the Upton Sinclair novel "Oil!" was released. The movie, like the novel, is based on the early days of oil exploration and exploitation in California. The main character, Daniel Plainview played by actor Daniel Day-Lewis, is a ruthless, greedy, and obsessed oil man. His drive to become rich and win out over other oil men leads to hatred and violence. Given the wicked ways of the characters in this movie, there is little doubt that there will be blood shed before things are settled. Blood will be the price that must be paid for those who oppose and betray Daniel Plainview.
Blood has long been the price that one must pay in order to set things straight. In the Old Testament, God established a system of blood sacrifices for those who sought His forgiveness after they had opposed or betrayed Him. This system of sacrifices was a central part of the covenant that God made with the people of Israel — a covenant that was sealed in blood. In so many words, God told His people that where there is sin there must be blood for payment and for forgiveness.
It didn't take long for the Israelites to abandon the covenant that God had made with them. They didn't find much use for God and His blood covenant. Instead they followed the ways of other religions and sought out other gods. Sin multiplied but the people refused to acknowledge their sin. They wanted a relationship with their gods based on prosperity and morality, not in blood. But where there is sin there must be blood.
In time God sent His Son to establish a new covenant. Like the old covenant, the new was based in blood. But the blood of the new covenant wasn't the blood of birds or goats or bulls. It was the very blood of God. God said that there must be blood for the forgiveness of sins so He provided the required blood. As superior as the blood of Jesus is to the blood of animals, the new covenant is superior to the old. You live in the new covenant that has been made and sealed with the blood of Jesus — the blood that was given and shed for you for the forgiveness of all of your sins.
