GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE
And the LORD said, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11
Blood donation drives challenge us with the slogan “Give the Gift of Life!” The slogan is correct according to Scripture. As we think of the call to "give the gift of life" on the physical level, let us observe how our text impacts the spiritual life of every one of us.
Donating blood is a wonderful act of caring. It is an act of compassion. It is “brotherly love” put in practice. Not everyone can donate blood for a variety of reasons, but those who can give should give because the need is so great and is never-ending.
Before you attempt to donate, consult your family doctor for his recommendation as to if you should donate and the extent he would suggest.
I have selected twenty-five interesting facts regarding blood donation that can be viewed in full detail on the American Red Cross website.
They are:
1.) Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood
2.) More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day
3.) One out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood
4.) Total blood transfusions in a given year: 14 million (2001)
5.) The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints
6.) The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O
7.) The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs
8.) Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98% of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives
9.) More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
10.) A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
11.) The number of blood donations collected in the U.S. in a year: 15 million (2001)
12.) The number of blood donors in the U.S. in a year: 8 million (2001)
13.) The number of patients who receive blood in the U.S. in a year: 4.9 million (2001)
14.) Approximately 60% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood — only 5% do in a given year
15.) Blood cannot be manufactured — it can only come from generous donors
16.) Whole blood can be processed into red cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. The total number of units of all of these components transfused in a year is 29 million (2001)
17.) It is possible to donate specifically only platelets or plasma. This process is called apheresis
18.) Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection
19.) Donated platelets must be used within 5 days of collection — new donations are constantly needed
20.) Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets. The body will replenish the elements given during a blood donation -some in a matter of hours, and others in a matter of weeks
21.) One donation can help save the lives of up to 3 people
22.) People with O- type blood are universal donors. Their blood can be given to people of all blood types. Only 7% of people in the U.S. have O- blood type.
23.) Type O- blood is often used in emergencies before the patient’s blood type is known, and with newborns who need blood.
24.) 45% of people in the U.S. have type O (+/-) blood. This percentage is higher among Hispanics — 57%, and among African Americans — 51%
25.) People with AB+ type blood are universal donors of plasma, the liquid portion of blood. AB+ plasma is often used in emergencies, for newborns and for patients requiring massive transfusions
Having considered the great importance of blood donation to assist in the health of our fellowman, let us move on to the greatest blood gift in the history of mankind, the blood of Christ shed on the cross for our sins. First, we need to consider the Source of all life.
GOD IS THE GIVER OF ALL LIFE
"God, who made the world and everything in it…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ’For we are also His offspring.” Acts 17:24a; 28.
GOD HAS PLACED THE PRINCIPLE OF LIFE IN THE BLOOD
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…” Leviticus 17:11
"Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life…” Deuteronomy 12:23 (Compare Genesis 9:4).
GOD VIEWED THE ATONING DEATH OF HIS SON AS HAVING OCCURRED BEFORE THE EARTH WAS CREATED… and I have given it to you upon the altar”.
Leviticus, the third book of Moses, was written more than 1400 years before the birth of our Lord, yet the LORD (Yahweh) said, “I have given it”, which is in the past tense...having already occurred. John expands on this point declaring that the Lord Jesus is “…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8
THE GREATEST BLOOD GIFT EVER MADE WAS CHRIST’S DEATH ON CALVARY.
His shed blood went far beyond giving (or making possible) the gift of physical life to one or several individuals. His blood has the power to take away the sins of the world! How awesome is the thought!
Paul wrote “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6, 8.
Peter wrote “…you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” I Peter 1:18-20
GOD OFFERS ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL THROUGH HIS SON
John the Baptist told his disciples: "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29
The Apostle John wrote, "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." I John 2:2
The Apostle Peter wrote, “The Lord is…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9
Our Lord Jesus, Himself, proclaimed from the awesome majesty of His throne in heaven, “And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17. And the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is that Water of Life, which, if a man drinks thereof, he will never thirst again! AMEN!
AS BROTHERLY LOVE PROMPTS US TO GIVE THE GIFT OF PHYSICAL LIFE THROUGH BLOOD DONATION, LET US PROCLAIM THE MESSAGE OF ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL WHO WILL HEAR.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
