A contrast is drawn between the Old Testament sacrifices and the blood of Christ. Under the Law the blood of goats and bulls was used, along with the ashes of a heifer (Number 19:1-22). These sacrifices made the priest, and then the people, outwardly clean. Ie it affected no inward change or effect. The priest was made clean for the purposes of the Law.
Jesus offered His own blood, the blood of the Son of God, the blood of a man who lived His life in perfect and complete obedience to the Father. He was the perfect sacrifice. Jesus did all this walking in step with the Holy Spirit.
The effect of Christ’s sacrifice is to cleanse our consciences, ie it affects an inward change. “Acts that lead to death” are “dead works”. This could be referring to sinful acts, or to the dead works of the Law, ie from the uselessness of the Old Testament sacrifices. There was a deep attachment to the works of the Law, and there would be a tendency on the part of the Jews to feel guilty if they no longer followed them. But in Christ they have been completely obliterated. There is no need whatsoever for the works of the Law. We are now free to serve the living God! Note that the acts of the Law enabled the old testament Jews to serve the Lord. Part of the purpose of the gospel is to enable us to serve the Lord, it is not just about self-fulfilment!
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