This article is about the phrase we use “plead the blood of Jesus”, and how we can understand what the Bible really says.
Being Biblical before being Pentecostal
As far as I know and have read, pleading the blood is something Pentecostals say and do as part of prayer and faith talk. I admit being brought up in this culture, I myself have ignorantly used this lingo in my prayer. I never questioned it, till now.
My church has recently provided us a series of lessons to teach regarding the “power of the blood”, and I was assigned the lesson looking into Old Testament usage of the blood. I also have to admit that my initial preparation also drew on some of my preconceived ideas about the blood, like how I automatically related the story of the Passover with an application of how to “apply the blood”.
The heart and intention behind this practice is usually well-meaning and innocent. We want goodness and success over all areas of our lives, victory for people around us. However my questioning mind caught the better of me and I began to read and search carefully about this.
Nowhere (direct or indirectly) does the Bible state that we “plead the blood” over this life or over that work. Jesus’ work of sacrifice and shedding of blood is already applied and already completed. We don’t have to plead it anymore.
Who “applies” the blood?
We also don’t “apply” the blood on ourselves. Applying the blood was the role of a high priest.
“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV
This passage refers to an Old Testament practice; instances of atonement and sacrifice, the blood was applied by a high priest on behalf of the people.
When Jesus died for us, he presented Himself in the form of two roles: as High Priest and as Sacrifice itself. Jesus is our high priest. He Himself applied His own blood on our behalf.
Ok, so what about God’s protection?
There is nothing wrong with seeking God’s protection and covering over various situations because the Bible says “call unto me and I will answer” (Jeremiah 33:3); that God is “our refuge and fortress” (Psalm 91:2); and Jesus has given us authority and power over the enemy (Luke 10:19). However we must remember that we should always ask God according to His word, and pleading the blood is not in the Bible. It is not a “magic word” that will make God protect us, and don’t try it as a technique to protect you from the coronavirus.
Nevertheless I think there is no wrong in using such a phrase especially for someone who is sincerely praying so intensely and desperately for a situation that needs God’s protection. As Christians, we say a lot of “gospel-ised” phraseology in a loose way because we have been taught it, like “it’s a prophecy!” when someone says something “of the future”; “you will have it because you asked it”. I am a firm believer that language sometimes doesn’t capture the essence of what our prayer wants to express and our cry to God, but the crucial point is: God knows!
“… for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8
“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” Romans 8:26
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