SCRIPTURE
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” Leviticus 17:11
SPOTLIGHT
As I was driving one day, I noticed a Red Cross billboard that read:
“WHEN YOU GIVE BLOOD YOU GIVE LIFE.”
Every day people donate blood in order to help saves lives. The number one reason blood donors say they give blood is because they “want to help others.”
The Bible supports the Red Cross billboard claim. Leviticus 17:11 is very clear: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” Please understand this verse explains why God required a blood sacrifice in order for man’s sin to be forgiven. Sin separated man from God. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He demonstrated that the shedding of His blood was to provide atonement for everyone who would believe Him to be the Savior. Making atonement means Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice forever became the means by which man’s sin would be forgiven and man would become pure and clean before God.
WHOSE BLOOD REALLY SAVES? The Red Cross states “There is no substitute for human blood. Blood is an absolute necessity for life.” Another advertisement reads:
“BLOOD DONATION - IT’S ABOUT LIFE.”
You can be attached to a machine to keep your heart pumping but you cannot live without your blood circulating in your body.
You cannot live without blood. Do not miss the parallel thought.
The Bible says there is no substitute for Jesus Christ’s blood. Only His blood “donation” can save a person from sin. 1 Peter 1:18-19 states, “For you know that it was not perishable things such as silver or gold, that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or defect.”
Thousands of lives are saved because of the blood donated by generous people. The Bible teaches that because Jesus Christ’s blood was shed on Calvary, it saves mankind from sin by providing forgiveness. Ephesians 2:13 states, “But now in Jesus Christ you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Separation by sin no longer exists between God and man because of the blood of God’s Son.
Blood banks often run short or run out of blood. During times of war or natural disasters there is often not enough blood to save the lives of the dying. The Bible says that Jesus Christ gave enough blood to save all mankind, now and forever. Colossians 1:19-22 states, “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth, or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. Now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” The power of the blood of Jesus Christ never runs short or runs out.
The effectiveness of human blood is limited by time. Donated blood can expire if not used within approximately 40 days. The Bible teaches this is not the case with the blood of Jesus Christ. His blood never expires. Revelation 1:5-6 states, “…and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood….” In a matter of hours, Jesus Christ shed enough blood to save the world then and now and forever.
People have different types of blood and can only be saved by receiving blood from a donor who has the same blood type. The Bible teaches that there is only one blood type needed to cleanse all people from their sin, regardless of culture, nationality, skin color, etc. Revelation 5:9 states, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because You were slain and with Your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Only the blood of Jesus can save mankind.
One pint of blood can save three lives. The Bible states that Jesus Christ’s blood can save the world if people confess Him as Savior. His bloody death once and for all defeated Satan.
Revelation 12:10-11 states, “…now I’ve become the salvation and the power in the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ, for the accuser of our brothers who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony….” Hebrews 9:14-15 states, “…how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our conscience from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
Blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body as well as waste materials to excretory channels. It provides a way of sustaining life and cleansing the body. The Bible says that Jesus Christ’s blood cleanses us. 1 John 1:7 states, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Jesus Christ could have begun a rebellion. Popular opinion wanted Him to do so. Instead, He chose to begin a revolution of love. His love was written in blood on the cruel cross of Calvary. It is Christ’s broken body that can cover sin. His blood gives anyone a new lease on life. When someone gives blood to another, the receiver cannot help but be overwhelmed by the donor’s generosity. So it is true with a born again believer. He/she stands amazed in the presence of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, and wonders how He could have loved him…a sinner, condemned, and unclean. How marvelous! How wonderful!
Jesus Christ’s love, written in blood, truly demonstrates the Red Cross billboard that reads:
“WHEN YOU GIVE BLOOD YOU GIVE LIFE.”
SOMETHING TO DO
Would you consider giving blood at a Red Cross blood drive? When you do this you will have time to meditate on the importance of blood like never before in your life. If you cannot do that, then offer to help at a blood drive clinic and seriously think about the power of life that is in the blood.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Today Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge that You are the one true living God who gave Your life and shed Your blood so that my sin might be forgiven and forgotten. You paid the price in blood, pain, and death. Thank You for making this sacrifice for me and everyone who will believe in YOU! AMEN!