Years ago, I was told that certain people -- people who had an...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"Golden Blood"
July 11, 2017
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
~ Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
Years ago, I was told that certain people -- people who had an impressive pedigree and a noble ancestry -- were said to have "blue blood." Apparently, the expression came about because most of those blue bloods were rich enough to have someone else do their work, and they never had to go outside.
As a result, the blue bloods remained indoors, didn't get a tan, and had very blue-looking veins.
This past week I came upon an article that talked about someone who had an even rarer kind of blood. The doctors say this man, Thomas is his name, has "golden blood," a very rare condition indeed. How rare? Well, in the whole history of the world there have only been 43 people who have been identified as having had golden blood.
Now you need to understand, these people have blood which is as red as yours and mine.
Their blood is golden because it can be received by anyone. You see, most of our blood cells are coated with antigens. Those antigens mean that some donor's blood is not compatible with -- and will be rejected by -- ours. Amazingly, Thomas' blood has no antigens, not a single one, which means, if you have a really, really rare blood type, and there is no suitable blood available for a transfusion, Thomas is your man.
His blood can save many people, much of the time.
Of course, not even Thomas' blood can help every person in every situation. For instance, if your condition is non-blood related, Thomas can't help you, and if you've lost more blood than Thomas can supply, he won't resolve your situation. Obviously, Thomas can't help you if you need his blood right now, and he's not available.
Even so, Thomas blood has given life to many.
Reading about Thomas and the others who have this golden blood, I am reminded of the bloody sacrifice offered up by the Redeemer to rescue sinful and condemned humanity. In the passage at the head of this devotion, St. Paul reminds us of a few of the unique benefits that come when Jesus' blood is given to us. The apostle assures us that Jesus' blood graciously offers us
1. forgiveness of our sins;
2. a buy-back from our spiritual kidnappers: the world, Satan, and our own sinful desires.
In truth, there is no person whose sins are so great that they have put him beyond the scope of being helped -- and saved -- by the Savior's precious blood. There is no individual who has a natural or a developed immunity to the healing, which the Christ's bloody offering bestows.
All of this means we can rejoice because as the beloved apostle John wrote, "the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7b).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, anyone who has had his earthly life saved because of a transfusion is grateful for the person who gave that precious gift. Today, we remember and rejoice in the Redeemer who willingly shed His blood and died so that all who are brought to faith might be washed and saved. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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