Blood

Few things are more intriguing to me than blood.  Think about it: the average human body has between 4-5 liters (more if your are a big guy, less if you are on the small side).  A person can lose up to 40% of his blood and still survive.  You can donate your blood for the benefit of someone else and after a short time your body produces more blood to make up for what you lost.  Many are squeamish when it comes to blood and the very sight of it has often brought a strong man to his knees.

Earlier today my wife took our youngest daughter Emme back to the doctor for yet another visit.  This poor little girl has been sick on and off since January.  She's had multiple ear infections and strep throat, but this time none of those are the issue.  Now she is running high fevers and has really swollen glands and as a result the doctor ordered blood work at the clinic right next door.  Unfortunately the phlebotomist couldn't not find a suitable vein for drawing out the blood, so we have to take her back this afternoon for round two of sticking and bruising.

Without this blood work we might not be able to find out what's going on with our little girl.  With just a small amount of blood they can determine all sorts of things about people ranging from their genetic makeup to the presence of disease.  Blood is an amazing thing.

All of this reminds me of the cross of Jesus.  On that cross Jesus shed His blood for our redemption, giving us access to the grace of God that brings true life.  The New Testament is filled with verses that describe such concepts as reconciliation, redemption, atonement, and salvation won through the blood of Christ.  But perhaps the most profound verse in the Bible about the value of blood is found in the Old Testament book of Leviticus 17:11, "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have appointed it to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, since it is the lifeblood that makes atonement." 

Life is in the blood.  That's why we sing "Nothing but the blood of Jesus" and that's also why we look to a horrific instrument of torture and death with such reverence.  For "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness".  The draining of the very life blood of Jesus is what gives us hope and life.  Isn't blood an amazing thing?