07/29/2018
Have you ever donated blood? Have you gone down to the Red Cross and given because they said that they were running low and that people might die without it? Well, when you did this you probably did so because yes, it would help someone, and no, it wouldn’t harm you in any way to give. Likely, you didn’t think much about all those people who depend on you to share your blood with them... but Jesus did.
“So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:53-54 ESV
I was working for a large manufacturer of clothing in downtown Nashville when a woman that I worked with announced that her husband had cancer. The year was 1978 and the treatments for most cancers were not what they are today, and medicine provided much less hope. A short time later she told us that he needed blood platelets in order to boost his immune system, and to fight his cancer; without this he would certainly die. So I scheduled time and went to the clinic where they took a pint of blood from one arm, centrifuged it, removed the platelets, and then put the remaining blood back into my other arm. It was a long uncomfortable process, and as I endured it I hoped that by my doing this my friend’s husband would live. In fact, he rebounded when he received my platelets, but the improvement was short lived, and after several such donations and injections the benefits lessened, and eventually... he died.
When Jesus suffered, bled, and died for us He did so in full knowledge of the benefit it would bring us, and there was no doubt in Him that we would be healed. He didn’t go to the cross hoping that when it was all said and done that the blood He left there MIGHT be able to help someone... He was certain of its healing power, and He could see the faces of those who would receive it... our faces. It is rare today when we give blood to actually know who will receive it, or to know that it will absolutely save their life. As a matter of fact, most people who donate would rather not know the recipient; they prefer to help without getting attached, or too deeply involved... but not Jesus!
“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."”
John 6:56-58 ESV
Jesus not only wants to know who receives His blood, but He intends to abide in them, and for them to abide in Him. Furthermore, the suffering He underwent was immense; it wasn’t the short discomfort I felt as they removed the platelets from my body... His was excruciating.
The next time the call comes from the local medical community, or a friend, saying that blood is needed, and you are reclining on the table giving a little of yours, meditate on the blood of Jesus Christ. Think about the price He paid so that you might have life, eternal life, and to live it in abundance. Think about the fact that in a few minutes you will walk away unscathed, but how He died on the cross at Calvary, descended into hell, was raised from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of God. Think about His blood that is coursing with yours through your veins right now because He abides in you, and concentrate on the benefit that this healing donation will bring to someone. Pray for a miracle to accompany your joint blood, and ask the Holy Spirit to transfer some of the healing power of the blood of Christ that abides in you into the recipient of your meager donation... a healing touch, an amazing blessing, a revelation of the gospel.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and the the blood He shed for the remission of our sin. Thank you Holy Father for His willingness to do your will that I might have life, eternal life, and that I would live it in abundance. Help me Lord to see the faces of all those who are touched by your Son’s healing blood because I am faithful to your calling, and now pass on the truth that is in it. Let that part of Him which abides in me bring about an eternal healing in the dying, and that even as I abide in Him... He will come to abide in them. You are Merciful Holy Father, and your grace flows sweetly through your Son Jesus. Your grace is part and parcel with the blood that washes us clean, and takes out the very stain of sin from us. Your gift to us in Jesus knows no end, and heals forever. Great are you my God who heals all those who come to you in the name of your Son, Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, the source of all life, and the fountain of healing water. Praised be your name.
“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.”
Hebrews 13:12-13 ESV
Rich Forbes