Is Pleading The Blood Of Jesus Biblical?

INTRODUCTION

The Blood of Jesus is mentioned many times throughout the Bible and refers to His sacrificial death on the Cross. Jesus said at the Last Supper,

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28 NIV)

“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22 NIV)

‘Pleading the blood” is a common teaching and practice of well-meaning Christians in numerous churches around the world to claim the power of Jesus over any and every problem, situation, or circumstance. It is believed that the concept of ‘pleading the blood’ is a powerful declaration of faith in His sacrificial death and a claiming of the spiritual benefits that flow from His shed blood. It is said to be a way to access the atoning, redemptive, protective, and cleansing power of Jesus in their lives and to affirm their trust in His ability to save, heal, and deliver them from all forms of evil, such as sickness, poverty, and “demon” spirits.

Some draw ‘bloodlines’ around objects to protect them from evil forces and build a “hedge of protection” over everything, including their lives, family, pets, finances, houses, windows, doors, floors, neighborhoods, cars, churches, pews, musical instruments, drinking water, unsaved relatives, sickness, etc.

When hands are laid on others to receive the Holy Spirit,” some people “plead the blood” to have a clean conscience and for grace and mercy to be activated in their lives so that they can come boldly into God’s presence (See Hebrews 9:14,10:19-20; 1 Peter 1:2).

DEFINITION

The word “plea” from which we get the word “plead” means: “An accused person’s answer to a charge or indictment in criminal practice…an earnest entreaty or appeal.” Similarly, the word “plead” means “to make a plea of a specified nature (e.g., to plead not guilty).” (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary)

The words ‘plea’ and ‘plead’ can denote a sincere request and are used, either literally or metaphorically, in the context of legal proceedings and means to ‘argue for or against a cause’ as in a court of justice (See Jeremiah 3:21). They are never used to ‘pray’ or ‘beseech.’

In legal terminology, they have a great variety of meanings, such as a legal dispute between God and His covenant people. All the uses of "plead" in English Versions of the Bible are used in connection in a legal sense to plead a cause (See Deuteronomy 17:8; 1 Samuel 24:15; Isaiah 1:17, 3:13, 43:26, 66:16; Jeremiah 2:9,35; 12:1; 25:31; Ezekiel 17:20; 20:35-36; 38:22; Micah 6:1;7:9; Hosea 2:2; 4:1; Joel 3:2; Psalm 35:1; Job 13:6,8,19; 19:5; 23:6; Judges 6:31-32; Acts 19:38; Romans 11:12).

Old Testament Usage

The Hebrew word ‘’riyb” is translated over 70 times as ‘plead’ as a verb and means "to plead, strive, defend, grapple, quarrel, conduct a legal case, make a charge." (Example: Genesis 31:36; Exodus 17:3,21:18; Isaiah 1:17). The term can imply both verbal arguments and physical confrontations. In the legal sense, it often refers to pleading a case or bringing a lawsuit. The word is used to describe both human interactions and divine actions, where God contends with His people or nations.

The Prophets used the word frequently to indicate that God has an indictment, a legal case, against Israel (See Isaiah 3:13; Amos 7:4; Micah 6:1-8). “Riyb” is also used as a noun 60 times and translated as "strife; quarrel, dispute" (See Micah 6:2).

‘Pleading’ is an act of advocating for the vulnerable and ensuring justice is served. When God was said to "plead with" man, the meaning is that He states His side of the case and not that He desires human beings to repent, which is a judicial act of God (See Isaiah 66:16). The term often refers to the making a fervent appeal or earnest request most often in a legal setting. The concept of pleading is also seen in the context of God's relationship with His people and invites them to:

"Review the past for Me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence." (See Isaiah 43:26 NIV)

Many people use the phrase “pleading the blood” because of what the Israelites were told to do during the Passover. The practice of “pleading the blood of Jesus” is most often justified by the Old Testament Passover when the blood of the Paschal lamb protected the Israelites from the angel of death and led to their deliverance from slavery.

God is often portrayed as an advocate or judge who defends His people against their persecutors. The High Priest would sacrifice a Lamb and put the blood on the Altar in the Holy of Holies. The literal sprinkling and application of the sacrificial blood of goats and bulls on the Tabernacle and its various symbolic vessels and instruments was to make atonement for the uncleanness (sin) of the people of Israel and prefigured the true Tabernacle in Heaven (See Hebrews 8:1-5).