The BLOOD of Jesus

A number of years ago while in Guatemala my wife was asked to donate some blood because she has the rare "universal" blood type. I could not help but think of that experience when I read the following article...

I once heard a story about a Nazi pilot who was shot down during World War II. The pilot was taken captive and brought to the hospital where a British doctor began dressing his wounds. As the doctor worked, he realized a blood transfusion was necessary due to the loss of blood.
When finished, and making use of his British humor, the doctor remarked to the Nazi, “This ought to go far in making a gentleman out of you. I have just put into your system two pints of Jewish blood.” The patient was horrified!
However, no scientific experiment can determine nationality by blood, for we read in God’s Word, that the Lord “hath made of one blood all nations.” (Acts 17:26).
Although there is nothing in the blood to distinguish the nationality, there is a blood classification determined by the presence or absence of certain substances. Before a blood transfusion can be made, the donor’s blood must be tested to be sure the substances are the same as the patient’s. If different bloods are mixed, clotting could begin and this could result in sever illness or even death.
The various blood groups are type A, B, AB or O. Type O is sometimes referred to as “universal” because it does not clump with other plasmas.
Reading about these different blood groups caused me to think of Someone who gave His blood for all – a “universal donor”. The effectiveness of His blood is available to anyone. Like the marvel of the filtering system of the blood, His precious blood has a cleansing effect. “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It would be impossible for us to live without blood in our bodies. The Bible says, “The life…is in the blood” (Lev 17:11), and Christ’s blood is the source of everlasting life. Do you have it?

Poisonwood

On a recent mission to Belize we came across the Poisonwood tree on a hike in the jungle. From its name you will understand why it is a tree not to be messed with. The sap of the poisonwood is extremely toxic and causes blisters and rashes on the skin. The sap can be seen oozing out of any wounds on the bark of the tree. The leaves of the tree are also toxic topically, and some who are extremely allergic to the tree can break out by standing too close to it.

Fortunately, it is often found growing near its natural antidote. Our guide told us that invariably almost always growing near the poisonwood tree is the Gum Elemi tree and the crushed leaves of the Gum Elemi will ease the itch and burn.

So in the gospel. You and I have been affected by the poison of sin. But thank God the antidote to sin is not far from any one of us. That is what we find in the book of Romans: "But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:8,9). So the Word is near us not distant, mysterious or inaccessible, but readily available and accessible to all. Have you availed yourself of the antidote to sin in the blood of Jesus?