“Ketsueki-gata is a term that may once have only been familiar to phlebotomists and vampires. But since the 1930s, ketsueki-gata has become a popular means of analyzing a person’s personality based on their blood type, thanks to Japanese professor Tokeji Furukawa. While there are no scientific proof tying blood types to personality types, Furukawa’s claims have been embraced in Japanese culture—much like astrology has been accepted in the U.S.” www.waldenu.edu
I recently ran across a headline on Redcross.org that said: “Severe blood shortage: Red Cross issues immediate call for blood donations” The following lines read: “The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.”
In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle wrote: ”In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.” 1:7-10
It is believed that although the believers in Ephesus were rich beyond measure, they lived as spiritual beggars who were ignorant of their identity in Christ. How about you and me? We have redemption and salvation through the blood that was shed by Jesus the Christ. In His blood was the information that confirmed that He was holy and accepted, a lamb without blemish, having neither spot nor wrinkle. While many today wouldn’t give an ounce of blood to help their fellow neighbour, Jesus gave His life to save the world.
The Meaning of the Word Salvation signifies freedom from what binds or restricts. The Greek word is “soteria” meaning to provide recovery, to rescue and to effect one’s welfare. It is through His blood that you and I have access to the healing balm that we need. The apostle was careful in his letter to the Ephesians to emphasize who they were because of the blood shed by the Son of God.
In Genesis 4, while Cain might have thought that burying the body of his brother and leaving his blood to soak into the earth’s soil would cover his tracks, he found out by the all-seeing One who spoke in verse ten: “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” The blood of Able testified on his behalf and against the envious intentions of Cain and God heard every word that it spoke. On Calvary’s hill the blood of Jesus also testified except it was for our benefit. The blood of our Savior cried out with our names on its lips and declared that we have been forgiven of the sins that separate us from fellowship with the Godhead and that keeps us from walking righteously.
Leviticus 17:17 states: “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.” Notice that the blood needed for our at-one-ment was provided by our Savior. He not only required the sacrifice; He provided it.
We have been “…bought with a price” 1 Corinthians 6:20 and consciousness of this reality leads to living a holy and honourable life that pleases God and loves our neighbours. Before we can demonstrate the good works that we were called to do we must see ourselves as recipients of the gift of salvation. We must realize that we were the ones He came to save and that His life was given in exchange for ours; we must accept that we were and are worth the sacrifice that He made. I will conclude with a poem by Kim Merrymore:
You Took My Place
Amazing love,
Amazing grace,
You gave Your life,
You took my place.
I should have died,
On Calvary’s tree,
But You stepped in,
And died for me.
What can I say?
What can I do?
To show my love,
My gratitude?
To You my Lord,
My Saviour King,
For becoming my
Sin offering?
Here is my heart,
Here is my soul,
Come Lord Jesus,
Take control.
The old is gone,
You’ve made me new.
You died for me,
I’ll live for you.