What is the blood of Jesus? His very life, poured out for us on the cross. The life is in the blood (Lev 17:11). Shedding of blood, even drinking of animals' blood was prohibited because blood is sacred.

The blood symbolizes the whole reality of the act of love in which Jesus died for us. Jesus' words, "It is finished," meant that the Father's will that divine life would be given to humanity was fulfilled, death was swallowed up in victory.

Why did Jesus shed his blood for us so painfully, to such an extreme? (John 13:1). One drop would have been enough. No textbook answer, only God can answer it in prayer.