By Randy Ballinger
During the pandemic, blood donation centers have sought out individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Apparently, the antibody-rich blood plasma these individuals donate possibly can save the lives of those critically ill with the virus.
The lone purpose for blood is to sustain life.
Donating blood brings healing. There is power in the blood.
God personified blood in rebuking Cain after Abel’s murder: “Your brother’s blood cries out to me” (Genesis 4:10). After the flood, God instructed Noah, “Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood” (Genesis 9:4, New American Standard Bible, 1995). God reminded Moses that “the life of a creature is in the blood” and “it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11).
It is from this truth that God instituted the sacrificial system found in the Old Testament. The blood of bulls and goats was used to purify the altar and make atonement for the sins of God’s people. God instituted this system because “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).
The sacrifice of blood provides forgiveness. There is power in the blood.
But Scripture also said, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). So, this type of atonement was not complete.
Instead, a pure and spotless Lamb was needed, for it was the only sacrifice that truly could forgive sin. The blood of Jesus Christ, freely offered and given, not only sustains life, it pays the penalty of our sin and brings new life—a redeemed life that fills us with hope.
The gift of Jesus’ blood gives eternal life because there is great power in the precious blood of the Lamb!
We gather around our Lord’s table to remember that he gave his life’s blood for us.
Randy Ballinger lives with his wife, Gina Ann, near New Paris, Ohio. He serves as elder with the Centerville (Indiana) Christian Church.
George Washington died an early, grizzly death because he was bled, a practice which medical “knowledge” of that time believed took the illness out of the patient’s body.
Ironically, the Bible, reportedly on his bedside stand, was not consulted; the blood, his life, was drained out of him.
George Washington died an early, grizzly death because he was bled, a practice which medical “knowledge” of that time believed took the illness out of the patient’s body.
Ironically, the Bible, reportedly on his bedside stand, was not consulted; the blood, his life, was drained out of him.