Christian Living
THE RED CROSS
Bonnie Baker – February 14, 2004
I have always believed in Jesus, since I was very young. I knew he loved me; after all, I always sang Jesus loves me this I know. When I realized that he died, and shed his blood because that was the “requirement” of a holy God, my doubts and questions abounded. Why in the world would a loving God require blood for atonement? Why not hard labor, beautifully written music, or prose? Why not a living sacrifice of service? Why? Why? Why?
When I read the story where Jesus spoke to his disciples about being the “Bread of Life” and he plainly said “you must eat my flesh and drink my blood” (see John 6:48 – 66) many of his disciples were offended and quit following him. I thought to myself, “I wonder if I would be one of those who walked away.” Why didn’t he say “this is symbolism.” I can picture myself asking Jesus, “Lord, is this a parable? You don’t mean this literally, do you?”
One day I decided to settle this looming contradiction once and for all (at least in my mind). I looked in the concordance to see which bible verses had the word blood in them, and then I looked them all up. Yes, it did take a long time!
I prayed, “Lord, please open my spiritual eyes, heart and mind. Please give me understanding and enlighten me. This is my question Lord, why blood?”
Here is what I discovered. Bear with me it takes a while to get to the point. I didn't quote scripture with all the words, only what struck a chord.
In Genesis 9:4 it says that blood is life (OK, I get that!); Leviticus 3:17 the warning is don’t eat blood (I won’t argue); Leviticus 17:10 states that blood makes atonement for the soul (again, why?); then it goes into mothers asking for atonement after giving birth for their children; in Deuteronomy 12 blood is life; in Exodus rivers are turned to blood; the fish die and everything stinks!; (Lord, forgive me for being impatient); Revelation 8:8 spells out 1/3 of the sea is turned to blood; Genesis 9:6 says “whoso sheds a mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God mad he man (Now I am really confused!); Psalms 106:30 states that the sacrifice of sons and daughters was a pollution and not accepted by God. (What a relief!) Only animals (the best of the flock) are acceptable; Proverbs 6:16 says God hates the shedding of innocent blood. (Me too! but Lord, I am really not clear on this – I think I am more confused than I was when I started!); the Holy Spirit keeps prodding; I Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing is the communion of the blood of Christ. (I read on, but none of the dots are connecting); Hebrews 13:20 now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
“Lord, I am going to take a break, maybe I am trying to hard to see what is obvious.”; I go get a cup of coffee and sit down and stare into space; I go back to the kitchen table and I am very discouraged. It seems as though my question is only going to be more convoluted. I only have a few verses to go and I have settled into the fact, I probably won’t get it. A thought comes to mind that maybe I’ll go to the internet and look up the word blood. Who knows what it will say.
I go back to my list of verses and only have a few left. It made me feel even more desperate for an answer. “OK Lord, please give me a breakthrough. I know you don’t want me to doubt you. I don’t want to doubt you.” I start again; Ephesians1:7, In whom we have redemption through the blood. (WHY!) I am close to tears; Colossians 1:20-23 having made peace through the blood; I John 1:7 the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin; Ephesians 2:13 but now in Christ Jesus, you are made nigh by the Blood of Christ; Revelation 1:5 he washed us from sins in his own blood (I do understand the love that dies for a loved one, I don’t understand requiring it Lord, please explain).
My desperation is answered in the following verses. It was as though now God was talking straight to me in an audible voice.
I Peter 1:18, for as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers BUT with the PRECIOUS blood of Christ as a lamb (My heart became a lump in my throat, Oh Lord, the most precious commodity of man is blood, his own!); Blood is life!
My value in God’s eyes is now crystal clear. The word precious leaped out at me. The most sacrificial payment for the most precious possession.
Verse 25: The word of the Lord endureth forever and this is the word which by the gospel is preached TO YOU! (Right now the Holy Spirit is breathing down my neck). Chapter 2 of I Peter (I am just reading indiscriminately unable to stop) Chapter 3, if so you have tasted that the Lord is gracious to whom coming unto a living stone (huh?) Now I am wondering if I should stop since I have a certain peace about the answer, but I feel compelled to keep reading.
verse 5 “ye also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (Lord what are you saying?); I Peter 2:6 unto you therefore, which believe, He is precious, but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed the same is made the head of the corner. Verse 8 a stumbling block (my mind races back a few weeks when I broke my ankle slipping on a small rock), but this is worse! I Peter 2:8 I stumbled on the WORD. (Me, You are talking to me!) being disobedient were unto they were appointed (I feel like I just got a spanking, I am crying like a child who knows they are wrong and Daddy is very angry). I know exactly what God is saying to me. I was offended by his word not understanding the “preciousness” of the price. This affected my walk with the God I didn’t trust completely because I didn’t understand completely. I was stopped in my tracks – broken and naked in front of my loving God. God answered my question to the point that I will never doubt Him again. I may have questions but it will not affect my trust in HIM.
The high price was required because of MY value and His Holiness. God gave the required payment because he knew we couldn’t. He transformed Himself to provide the most valued commodity and to make a way for us to abide with Him.
The Holy Spirit is still spurring me on. I go online and type Blood.
Blood “This red liquid carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, and carries carbon dioxide and other waste products back to the lungs, kidneys and liver for disposal.” (No wonder we’re not supposed to eat it!) “It fights against infection and helps heal wounds. THEE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR BLOOD. If people lose blood from surgery or injury or if their bodies can’t produce enough there is only one place to turn, VOLUNTEER BLOOD DONORS!”
You guessed it, I am bawling after reading that! Cleansing tears of gratefulness and remorse. Now I GET IT!
I serve an awesome God. Any questions?
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Great Job! We do serve an awesome God. Your dedicated searching was inspirational. Thanks!
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