“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure! (1 Peter 1:2 NET).
Our text from 1 Peter 1:2 references an image taken from the Old Testament sacrificial system to illustrate a New Testament idea. In this instance, “sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ” (HCSB) reflects three practices that were associated with the Law of Moses. The first of those practices is mentioned in Exodus 24:7-8…
“Then [Moses] took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, ‘All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.’ And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.'”
So this first act involved the establishment of a covenant between God and His people. We find the next instance in Exodus 29:21…
“And you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments, on his sons and on the garments of his sons with him; and he and his garments shall be hallowed, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him.”
This passage speaks of consecration and dedication to God. Finally, we have the following reference from the book of Leviticus regarding those who had been healed of leprosy…
“[The priest] will sprinkle the blood seven times on the one to be cleansed and will declare that person clean…” (Leviticus 14:7 GW).
Our last example points us toward an act of cleansing and restoration. Thus, we have three Old Testament practices and three corresponding New Testament fulfillments in Christ…
- We have entered into a New Covenant with God through Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
- We are consecrated and set apart to God in Christ.
- We have been cleansed from sin through Jesus’ sacrificial offering.
Therefore, this passage offers several potential applications for those who are willing to consider and apply the references that underlie this portion of Scripture. As one commentator concludes…
“In the Old Testament there are three occasions when sprinkling with blood is mentioned. It may well be that all three were present in Peter’s mind and that all three have something to contribute to the thought behind these words.” (1)
(1) Barclay, William. William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, “The Three Great Facts Of The Christian Life (1Pe_1:1-2 continued).”