An important principle of interpretation is the 'Principle of First Mention'. Whenever a word is used for the first time in Scripture, it has significance and will carry true throughout the Scriptures. For example, the first time we see the word 'sin' is when Cain was tempted to kill his brother Abel. The first time we see the word 'blood' is in relationship to Cain as well. The first time each of these words are used for the first time is in connection with violence. Cain allowed violence to enter his heart and as a result he committed murder. During the time of Cain the people had become so violent that they believed that the solution for violence was more violence. This caused a snowball effect where violence was concerned. As time went on the earth became 'filled with violence' hence the flood and many other consequences ensued; because of the violence penetrating the heart of mankind by his own volition. The Father that Jesus revealed was that of love. Therefore, when we interpret Scriptures that read as if God is a violent monster who kills and throws thunderbolts, we must realize that this was not the god of the Bible. Some of the way that the writers wrote were influence by Moloch, Zeus, Baal and other false gods that entered into Israels worship. The Bible is known to be the bloodiest book ever written. Many false idea have been carried over into Western Evangelical Christianity, and our loving Father has been accused of being as violent as the false gods of mythology. People have believed that the God of love could not forgive unless He was appeased by blood. When we forgive someone who has done us wrong, we don't demand blood first; yet we have accused our loving Father of demanding blood. People religiously will quote Hebrews 9:22 in defense of their argument that God needed blood in order to forgive, which records: "...without the shedding of blood there is no remission." They have failed to understand that this verse was in reference to the law and how they cleansed the tabernacle, the vessels, and brought the inauguration of it.
When many get into the New Testament they carry many false ideas into their interpretation of it. Most believe that Jesus had to be violently killed in order to forgive, and for the New Testament to be instituted and inaugurated. Again, they get that from the law and Hebrews 9 which records that a law or testament is not in force until the testator dies. Moses did kill animal sacrifices which represented God to him, as he initiated the Old Covenant. However, we know from many verses that God was never into killing of any kind. In Genesis 1:26-27 it states that 'God made man in His image and after His likeness, blessed them, and gave them dominion'. That was what He wanted for man from that time on--forever! We know that in Exodus 20 the people were fearful and desired a mediator to communicate with them instead of direct communication with God; so God allowed them to have a mediator. He allowed them to have the Mosaic Law and animal sacrifices, even though that was never His will for them. He had something higher and greater in Mind for all mankind. It is important for us to realize that Jesus' death did not ACTIVATE forgiveness, salvation, redemption or inheritance, but it REVEALED those realities which were eternal realities from before the foundation of the world.
Now, if blood was not necessary to institute a covenant why did Jesus die? He died as the result of the 'judgment of this world'. He was hung on the Cross as the result of the violence of the Romans. He suffered a violent death because of the violence which was in man's heart. I call His death 'sacred violence'. That is exactly what He exposed when He was brutally killed. Numerous times it refers to the 'remission of sins' where His death is concerned. The word 'remission' is #859 Aphesis and means: Liberation and Freedom FROM the bondage of anything one is bound unto. It is especially in reference to the 'sacred violence' which was in man's heart when they put Jesus on the Cross.
So, back to the thought of Jesus' literal physical death and literal shed blood NOT being the initiating factor of the New Covenant; in Matthew 26:27-28 we see when and how the New Covenant was initiated. Or, may I say RE-INITIATED, since His plan for mankind started in Genesis 1. We forgot the initial plan because religion caused us to fall asleep and become an amnesiac. Now, Matthew 26:27-28 states: "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this IS my blood of the New Testament, which IS shed for many (all) for the remission of sins." Now the Old Covenant was inaugurated and initiated by the blood of bulls and goats REPRESENTING a death. However, what Jesus is saying at the Last Supper is that 'this cup (wine) IS my blood'. And in verse 26 He likewise states: "Take, eat; this IS my body." Just as the Father did not need shed blood to forgive, bring salvation, redemption or inheritance, neither was the literal shed blood needed to establish the New Covenant. It was always an eternal reality in the Mind of God. Violence has never been the solution for violence. Jesus was violently killed by man. Bloodshed was never of the Father. Now, again, the last part of verse 28 states that it brought about the 'remission of sins'. HOW? By exposing them, which then led to repentance and being released FROM the bondage of sacred violence, among other things.
God's original plan for all of mankind was Genesis 1:26-27, but we forgot as a result of false religious ideas planted into our thinking. We have embraced many false concepts over the years, and the fact remains that man acts like the god he worships; therefore we see many today who are judgmental and critical, judging by the 'seeing of the eye' and the 'hearing of the ear' rather than righteous judgment. Why? Because their god is a false god of religion. Their god is a god of Penal Substitution rather than a loving God of grace, love and mercy. Jesus' death and resurrection did not ACTIVATE, but REVEALED all that the Father blessed us with from before time ever began. His death EXPOSED the lies of religion, but His resurrection REVEALED our truth of being. We must begin to see the END-LESS-NESS from the BEGINNING-LESS-NESS where all things are concerned.
Thanks for reading