By His Blood...

My husband is a hero. Not just to me, though. He is a hero because he goes once a month, gets his arm poked, and donates platelets at our local hospital blood center. Voluntarily! He's been donating blood for many years. I've given blood a few times recently too, and it feels good to know that I am helping someone else in a tangible way. (Platelets are irregularly-shaped, colorless blood cells. Platelets add in the clotting process to prevent or stop bleeding and are used in the treatment of serious illness, including cancer and leukemia, and for heart and transplant surgery patients.) Sometimes he wears this shirt that I gave him several years ago:

My mom and I donated blood in high school. I have a rarer type of blood, and they like to get my type since it is more rare. Sometimes a person may have troubles with their blood, whether they suffer blood loss in an accident, or if they have a blood disease. That's is why blood donation is important. They need more volunteers all the time. Blood can give life to another human being.

It reminds me of passages in the Old Testament of the Bible that talk about how blood was important to God, and sacrifices needed to be blood sacrifices.

Blood of the lamb protecting the Israelites in Egypt during the Passover:
"Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs." Exodus 12:7


The priests offered blood sacrifices in the temple:
"You are to slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and then Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting." Leviticus 1:5

The people were commanded:
"But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat." Deuteronomy 12:23 (emphasis mine)

In the new covenant that is established through Jesus, He promises...
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13



"And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body (blood) of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10

"Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin."
 Hebrews 9:22

We have Jesus' blood that was shed for our sins to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you need more information, or have questions, you can read more here. While I can't save someone from their sin through my blood, I can give them a longer life.

I like all the catchy slogans that they have for blood donation now:
Join us for a pint (that's how much you're allowed to donate)
Give blood, save lives
It takes all types!
Have a big heart, give blood!
Be someone special, Be a blood donor!
Got blood? Save lives! 

So are you a superhero? If not, what are you waiting for...?