I'm thinking of blood right now. I know, weird; but stick with me. I give blood regularly. I like to give blood regularly; it's something I think is important. But lately, I've been unable to donate. These days, my blood, every drop of it must remain inside of me. No handouts, doctor's orders.
More than a year ago, a major trauma center in our area closed down. It was close to a city that itself, is broken and in need of healing. When it was operational, the neon lights of the center's ER were a welcome sight to victims of violence. Again, blood. Multiple gunshot wounds, and the life of a too-young man pouring out on a worn, cold floor.
In Genesis 9, the floodwaters have receded, Noah and his family have emerged from the ark, their vessel of salvation from God's judgment, and God has repeated the order He had given the first human beings. Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. This time there's something new: fear and dread; the fear and dread of animals for mankind. Why? Because animals are now given to humanity for food. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. And God demands a reckoning:
By man his blood shall be shed;
For in the image of God
He made man.
The mention of blood is a theme that runs all throughout Scripture. Blood represents life. The loss of blood, the loss of life is an offense to God. He created each of us for a purpose. Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question, What is man's chief end?, and offers the answer, Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Our lives are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). Perhaps that is why I believe blood donation to be so important: my blood, my life is intrinsically linked to the God who created not only me, but that too-young man whose life has been treated casually --either by his grievous decisions or by the decisions of others. My life is valued by the same God who values all the other players; the shooter, the victim, the first responders, the doctors and nurses, the frantic mother, the raging father. We are connected by blood; shed, donated, preserved and, hopefully, replenished if necessary.
And, for those in Christ, we are joined as brothers and sisters by His blood. His blood that cleanses, atones, procures, redeems, reconciles, heals, frees, and unites. His blood poured out; life flowing from an execution stake, the destiny of criminals and the world's only sufficient Savior. His blood, His life, the only means by which new life is given to all who would stand under its fount. It is enough; it is eternal. It is the glorious display of God's hesed toward His creation. And it is blood that still today demands a reckoning and a response from every individual. What is yours?
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