Before the death of Christ animals were sacrificed so that their blood would cover the sins of those making the sacrifice. "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:10–12)
This passage from Hebrews draws a contrast between the animal sacrifices and Christ's sacrifice. The former could never take away sins, but when Christ shed his own blood, it was a once and for all sacrifice that removes sins.
In 1878 Elisha Hoffman shared this truth by writing a hymn that asks the reader if they have been restored and redeemed by the love and power of Jesus. Its powerful lyrics inquire into the commitments of its audience to their savior, the Son of God.
Hoffman was born in Pennsylvania to German parents. His father served as a pastor for over 60 years, and this probably influenced Elisha's decision to enter ministry. After attending public schools in Philadelphia, Elisha went on to study classics at Union Seminary. He was ordained as a minister in 1868, and he pastored for many years at churches in Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. As a pastor, Elisha was committed to drawing his people into worship, and during his lifetime, he composed over 2,000 hymns such as "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms", "I Must Tell Jesus", "Down at the Cross and "Glory to His Name". He also helped to edit numerous music publications.
The question Hoffman asks in this hymn is a critical question. If you ask a person today if they are going to heaven, many will reply in the affirmative. If you then ask them why, they might answer something like, "I've lived a good life and never been in trouble", "I've volunteered and helped the needy", "I've attended church regularly and even sung in the choir", or "I've lived by the Golden Rule". But those answers are all examples of works and it is not by works that one is saved. It is by God's grace and the provision of the blood of Christ to take away our sins that we are forgiven and redeemed. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."(1 John 1:7).
Unfortunately the power and necessity of the blood is seldom taught in many churches today. Many think it is too old fashioned. But the truth is that without the blood there is no forgiveness of our sins. Hoffman concludes this challenging song with an invitation to accept Jesus as your Savior. Are you washed in the blood?
1. Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow'r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
2. Are you walking daily by the Savior's side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
3. When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
4. Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Listen to it here. LAMB
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