spill\ˈspil\ verbspilled \ˈspild, ˈspilt\ alsospilt \ˈspilt\ ; spill•ing [Middle English, from Old English spillan; akin to Old English spildan to destroy and perhaps to Latin spolium animal skin, Greek sphallein to cause to fall](before 12th century) transitive verb1 aarchaic: kill, destroyb: to cause (blood) to flow 2: to cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted 3 a: to relieve (a sail) from the pressure of the wind so as to reef or furl it b: to relieve the pressure of (wind) on a sail by coming about or by adjusting the sail with lines 4: to throw off or out 〈a horse spilled him〉5: to let out : divulge 〈spill a secret〉intransitive verb1 a: to flow, run, or fall out, over, or off and become wasted, scattered, or lost b: to cause or allow something to spill 2: to spread profusely or beyond bounds 〈crowds spilled into the streets〉3: to fall from one’s place (as on a horse)[1]
Was the blood of Christ spilt?
The above definition is from Webster’s dictionary. If one will look at the first definition one could say that the blood of Christ was spilt. But is that the common usage of today? Webster also says that the use of this word is archaic. Archaic words are in our vocabulary today. So much for those who think the King James Version is out of date! Notice that second definition please. It says, “To cause or allow especially accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted.” That in no form or manner fits the blood of Jesus. There was no accident in His death. His death was not unintentional. His blood did not “fall, flow or run out so as to be wasted.” His death was planned before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1). It was stated to man from the fall (Genesis 3). The theme of blood runs as a scarlet thread thought out the Old Testament until we come to the New Testament. There we find it actually being shed.
There are things that need to be considered when contemplating this issue. Was the blood of any of the paschal lamb spilt? Jesus is stated as being such John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Was the blood of the trespass offering ever spilt? Jesus is considered as such in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Any of the Old Testament sacrifices, which pointed to the sacrifice Christ, was the blood spilt on any of them? The answer would come back as a resounding NO. So why would one say that the blood of Christ was spilt?
When the soldier pierced His side did not blood and water flow (John 19:34)? Yes, the Bible says, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” That does not state that the blood of Jesus was “wasted,” “scattered,” or “lost.” It nowhere means that His blood was flowed “accidentally” or “unintentionally.” This was all planned in the mind of God from the long ago. “And again another scriptures saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced” (John 19:37).
Our intention may be good when we are praying about the blood of Christ being spilt. We may want to paint a beautiful word picture of Jesus hanging upon the old rugged cross stained with the blood of the precious Savior, but that does not mean that we ought to say that His blood was spilt. Paint the picture. Pray to God. Let us not say something that we do not mean or that we do not want to portray in our prayers. God is listening but so are people. Let us be careful.
[1]Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1993). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (10th ed.). Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.: Merriam-Webster.
