THOMASVILLE — I have been donating blood since I was eighteen years old.  Once I got over my childhood fear of needles, it really has not been an unpleasant experience.  Except for seasons where I traveled or lived outside of the United States, I have tried to donate regularly throughout the year.  The advertizement on the web site for Southeastern Community Blood Center, where I presently donate, says one donation of whole blood can save up to three lives.  Wow!  That makes me feel good about donating something that replenishes itself in my body in just a short period of time.  To know that I am helping to save lives with just a little effort and less than an hour of my time every eight weeks, makes me be sure to do it regularly.

I always think about the awful price Jesus paid for my salvation, shedding His own precious blood for me.  Every precious drop that He freely gave, not only saves lives, but His blood is the only means whereby we can be saved from our sins.  The blood of bulls and goats is not sufficient, although the Lord allowed these sacrifices for a season to cover over our sins until Jesus came and paid the full price for our redemption with His own blood and gave each of us the right to be restored into a right relationship with God.

If you have never read an account of the physical suffering Jesus went through for you and I, you should.  Medical doctors who understand what He went through, describe in detail the horrible suffering which is beyond what most of us could ever imagine, endure or comprehend.  Watching Mel Gibson's very graphic portrayal of Jesus' death and the circumstances that led up to that time, had a very profound effect on me.  I will never take for granted the preciousness of my salvation.

But beyond the physical suffering that Jesus went through, was the battle with His will in the garden and then the separation He experienced for the first time from His Father, as Father turned away from Him who became sin for us.  What love.  We pat ourselves on the back when we do something worthwhile to help others – it makes us feel good.  Even if we could give every drop of blood, like Jesus did, our blood can only save the physical part of man.  Only the blood of Jesus has the power to heal, cleanse, restore and redeem our everlasting souls.