Daily Devotions
Giving Blood
Reading for October 13th: Matthew 26
"...this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Matthew 26:28
I've had the opportunity to give blood several times. On a few occasions it has been done for a friend or family member. It makes you feel good to be able to give something like this to someone you love.
I don't like needles. I get a little light headed whenever I give blood, but I've never found giving blood to be a difficult experience. The blood bank staff has always done their best to make the process as easy and as comfortable as possible. I've been given a warm blanket to cover myself, a pillow to put behind my head, cookies and juice to drink once I'm finished to keep me from getting dizzy.
What a contrast between our experience giving blood at a blood bank and Jesus' shedding of blood on the cross! We give blood and are treated with great respect and dignity. We're given an "I saved a life" sticker to wear when we leave.
The Roman soldiers were not gentle with Jesus. They provided no pillows or warm blankets. The cross was not padded for comfort. The nails were not sterilized. They didn't praise him for His act of kindness. They made Jesus' experience as painful and as shameful as possible!
Jesus didn't do this for his friends either. He died for His enemies (Rom 5:6-8; Col 1:21-22).
The greatest contrast of all is that Jesus didn't just give a pint of blood; a portion of his life. He poured it out until He died. He gave it all!
Father of mercy, we praise and glorify the Lamb that was slain, who poured out his precious blood for us!
