The Blood of Jesus

On Wednesday, I was in one of the grandest locations that I have enjoyed for some time. I was, by invitation, in the magnificent Banqueting hall of Glasgow’s City Chambers. The invitation had come from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and was to mark the fact that I – and over 100 others – had donated amounts of 75, or more, units of blood, and I received a special Caithness Glass paperweight, and a lapel badge.
There was also a speaker, and a presentation, and I learned that just one unit of my blood could save the life of a number of prematurely-born babies and, of course, help to save the life of a child or adult going through an operation – emergency or otherwise; or someone whose blood doesn’t have the same “shelf-life” as most of us; or an older person whose only desire is to see the birth of a first grandchild, or the wedding of one of their own children; or extend the life expectancy of a child who is suffering from a terminal condition, but wants to enjoy a particular experience while still able.
This morning, at Liberty Community Church, we gathered around the Lord’s Table – as we do every week. There we ate a little bread that reminded us of the broken Body of the Lord Jesus, and that was followed by some grape juice that reminded us of the Blood that He shed, for us,, on the Cross at Calvary.
And that is this evening’s thought. I give a unit of my blood, roughly every three months, and I may help to save the physical life of one individual. I do this voluntarily, and receive no more than a cup of juice and a biscuit at the end. But all I can ever do is be part of the saving of a single human life. Even with my (now) 80 donations, only a relatively small number of people can be helped. And, of course, not everyone who received my blood is going to survive whatever it is they are going through.
The apostle John assures us that “… the blood of Jesus … cleanses us from all sin” (I Jn.1:7). Jesus’ blood can bring forgiveness, and eternal life – that begins the moment we accept His offer of salvation. And His Blood is effective for every man, woman, and child who looks to Him for help.
Of course, when my name was called out, I had to make the move to collect my award. It wasn’t brought to me. And although the blood of Jesus is so powerful in its effect, it is only so for those who make the move and accept it. He will never force it on us.
There’s only one way in which you and I may approach a Holy God Who cannot look on sin – and that’s if we come to Him, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus: washed in His blood.