Lenten Observations, March 6, 2026 Ephesians 1:7

Ephesians 1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace . . .

Is blood a figurative representation of the cost of sin and rebellion against God, or is it a reference to the Jews’ sacrifice, or are we supposed to think of the blood—pooling, flowing—in a more literal way? We live in bodies that bleed. Blood is serious. What else could be more serious to show the depth of Jesus’ work” to save us? The crucifixion death was unmistakable. The idea “He swooned on the cross” is so ludicrous I don’t know why anyone would bring it up. Three gospel writers say he was speared and pierced—that would preclude any kind of fainting and coming back to life.

In 1:7, “through his blood” is the centerpiece, not a throw-in prepositional phrase. I may not like it, but it’s there and necessary and Christ’s bloody, horrid, violent death is the reason for redemption and forgiveness. I have read that recent theologians have rejected penal substitution, but I’m not sure how they came.

Christianity requires us to live with paradoxes we might not like or the tension they create. We believe in the bloody death of a man who lived by pacifist means.

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