Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"The Power of Blood"
November 11, 2014
... The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7b
Thomas lives in Switzerland and his blood is "golden," that is, it has the ability to save lives.
Now if you happen to have blood type A, AB, B or O, getting a transfusion is usually not a great difficulty. Of course, finding a suitable blood donor can be more complicated than that. The medical community says our blood cells are coated with antigens, a lot of them. It is those antigens which determine a person's complete blood type, and some of those antigens make it almost impossible for certain folks to find a compatible donor.
The key word in that last sentence is almost.
You see, there are a very few folks -- a very few folks -- who are Rh-null. That means their blood has no antigens, and it also means this person's blood can be accepted by anybody. Now when I say there are very few folks whose blood has this quality, I mean it. In the 49 years the medical community has been looking, only 43 people have been identified as having Rh-null blood and Thomas is one of the ten active donors who makes his blood available.
His blood often spells the difference between life and death.
Now, if Thomas with his life-saving blood is physically in demand, how much more in demand should be the Savior who has the only blood that can save sinful souls?
It's true you know. Jesus' Name is the only name which saves; His blood is the only blood which can cleanse. Look at what Scripture says:
* 1 John 1:7b, "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
* In the book of Revelation, John sees those who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14b).
* St. Peter tells us we have been ransomed "not with perishable things such as silver or gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ" (see 1 Peter 1:18-19).
* And, in Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us to "remember that you were ... without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (see Ephesians 2:12-13).
Friends, I have often seen families in a hospital emergency room in tears as they gave thanks for the powerful, positive, albeit temporary, results that had been brought about by an earthly transfusion. It is my prayer that you may always be just as thankful that, through the Savior's blood, shed on the cross, you have been given forgiveness, a family of faith, and a permanent home in heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ be equipped with every good, so we may do Your will and accomplish that which is pleasing in Your sight. This I ask in the Name of our redeeming Savior. Amen. (See Hebrews 13:20-21.)
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What did the children shout in the temple that made the chief priest and teachers of the law so indignant on Monday of holy week? Hosanna to the Son of David
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"The Power of Blood"
November 11, 2014
... The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7bThomas lives in Switzerland and his blood is "golden," that is, it has the ability to save lives.
Now if you happen to have blood type A, AB, B or O, getting a transfusion is usually not a great difficulty. Of course, finding a suitable blood donor can be more complicated than that. The medical community says our blood cells are coated with antigens, a lot of them. It is those antigens which determine a person's complete blood type, and some of those antigens make it almost impossible for certain folks to find a compatible donor.
The key word in that last sentence is almost.
You see, there are a very few folks -- a very few folks -- who are Rh-null. That means their blood has no antigens, and it also means this person's blood can be accepted by anybody. Now when I say there are very few folks whose blood has this quality, I mean it. In the 49 years the medical community has been looking, only 43 people have been identified as having Rh-null blood and Thomas is one of the ten active donors who makes his blood available.
His blood often spells the difference between life and death.
Now, if Thomas with his life-saving blood is physically in demand, how much more in demand should be the Savior who has the only blood that can save sinful souls?
It's true you know. Jesus' Name is the only name which saves; His blood is the only blood which can cleanse. Look at what Scripture says:
* 1 John 1:7b, "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
* In the book of Revelation, John sees those who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14b).
* St. Peter tells us we have been ransomed "not with perishable things such as silver or gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ" (see 1 Peter 1:18-19).
* And, in Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us to "remember that you were ... without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (see Ephesians 2:12-13).
Friends, I have often seen families in a hospital emergency room in tears as they gave thanks for the powerful, positive, albeit temporary, results that had been brought about by an earthly transfusion. It is my prayer that you may always be just as thankful that, through the Savior's blood, shed on the cross, you have been given forgiveness, a family of faith, and a permanent home in heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ be equipped with every good, so we may do Your will and accomplish that which is pleasing in Your sight. This I ask in the Name of our redeeming Savior. Amen. (See Hebrews 13:20-21.)
In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What did the children shout in the temple that made the chief priest and teachers of the law so indignant on Monday of holy week? Hosanna to the Son of David
