Life in the Blood (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 11/17/08)

I realized this morning that today is my regular day to give blood. I am a monthly blood donator at the Community Blood Center. I do it because I am able to do it and because many of our members and friends have surgery and the hospitals have to use the blood bank. It isn’t a big deal. In a matter of minutes I will leave for the downtown facility. It will be about a thirty minute visit at lunch. I hope it will make a difference for someone in the next few weeks.

Seeing that appointment card this morning reminded me of another "blood donator." His donation of blood was far more important than mine. Paul wrote in Romans 5:9 that we are "justified by his blood." He added in Ephesians 1: 7-8, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." It is a pillar of our faith that Jesus shed his blood on Calvary to atone for our sins. Had he not done that, we would still be hopelessly lost. The hymn writer knew this truth very well. The words of the gospel hymn ring out. "There is power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of the Lamb."

What is our response to the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus? I think it mirrors those who receive a "blood-gift" in our culture. First, we are appreciative of one who gave what we needed and didn’t have that we could live. A heart of deeply felt gratitude is appropriate for one who has received such a gift. Second, we recognize the price the giver paid. In the case of the "blood donors" at the "Blood Center," it is merely a sacrifice of some time and a minimal amount of pain. In the case of Jesus, it was infinitely more. He endured separation from his father and excruciating pain on the cross. Having an appreciation of what the donor endured is a right response, too. Third, we resolve to make sure the sacrifice was not in vain. Anyone who has benefitted from another’s gift knows how important it is to insure that the gift was not given in vain. Because Jesus shed his blood that we can live, we ought to live lives worthy of the price that was paid for them.

Well, it is time to go to 4040 Main. I hope that we all consider the blood donor that gave his for all of us.

Past Articles

We Need Each Other (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 11/10/08)

Thoughts on Falling Leaves and Other Things (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 11/04/08)

We Need Each Other (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 10/28/08)

Bring Someone to Church (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 10/21/08)

Letter to American Christians (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 10/13/08)

An October Surprise (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 10/07/08)

Accountable to Whom? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 10/01/08)

The Importance of Coming Together (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 09/23/08)

How do You See the World? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 09/16/08)

Review of The Shack (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 09/09/08)

Labor Day Thoughts (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 09/02/08)

Opinion vs. Authority (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 08/26/08)

The Best in the End (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 08/19/08)

He Is Faithful (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 08/13/08)

Black and White vs. Color (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 08/05/08)

Is There Someone We Really Can Believe In? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 07/29/08)

Trusting when it is Hard (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 07/22/08)

Do You Show "GUP"? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 07/08/08)

A Place in this World (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 07/01/08)

Reaching Kids (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 06/24/08)

Life Lessons from the Well (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 06/17/08)

There's Power in the Blood (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 05/27/08)

Movie Maker Does a Great Job! (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 05/20/08)

Don't Be Afraid to Try (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 05/13/08)

A Woman's Touch (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 05/06/08)

The Bible (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 04/29/08)

Is There Assurance of Our Salvation? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 04/22/08)

Why Baptism? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 04/15/08)

What Does It Mean To Be Successful? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 04/08/08)

Spring Will Come (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 04/01/08)

What's Right (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 03/25/08)

The Seven Most Important Words(Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 03/18/08)

The Perfect Gift (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 03/11/08)

Four Bitter Words (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 03/03/08)

An Inconvenient Truth (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 02/26/08)

How do we reach a Changing Culture? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 02/20/08)

When Things Get Hard (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 02/12/08)

The Unexpected Outcome (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 02/05/08)

Thoughts about the Political Process (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 01/29/08)

How do You Measure Success? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 01/22/08)

All for One and One for All (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 01/15/08)

Who do You Want to be Like? (Bill's editorial from the Pointer on 01/08/08)