A Gallon of Blood
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
“When we rise to contemplate the blood of the Son of God, our awe is greater yet, and we shudder as we think of the guilt of sin and the terrible penalty that the Sin-bearer endured. Blood, always precious, is priceless when it streams from Immanuel's side.” – C.H. Spurgeon
Today, I plan to do something that I do 3-4 times per year. I am going to donate blood.
I am not sure when I started doing that or how many pints, quarts or gallons I have donated over the years, but I figure it’s the least I can do. After all, I am relatively healthy and some other people aren’t.
And so, I will board the Big Red Bus, take a seat in a reclining chair, and allow a nurse to stick a needle in my arm so she can draw a pint of my A+ blood. Sometimes I donate double red cells and once I donated plasma, but most of the time it’s just plain blood.
For my blood donation, I usually receive a small gift such as a shirt, a towel, or a cooler… as well as a gift card redeemable at a local store or restaurant. However, the biggest kick I get out of donating comes a week or so later, when I receive an email telling me where and when my blood was used to save a life. Pretty cool… and very, very rewarding.
Yes, your blood and mine can be used to save a life, but only the blood of Jesus can save a soul. Best of all, it doesn’t take a pint or two, but rather a single drop shed on Calvary’s cross. That all-powerful blood can cover our sin and wash us whiter than snow (Isaiah 1:18).
If you have never trusted Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, I strongly urge you to do so TODAY. And while you’re at, consider donating some of your own blood to help a fellow human being in need.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8-9 (NKJV)
“According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President