Life In The Blood

This morning I felt led to read from Lev. 17, which is where the Lord revealed the restriction about eating blood.  In an interesting coincidence (I think this might be more than that), I donated blood yesterday.   Here are the verses I am reflecting on - Leviticus 17:10-11 NIV:

[10] “ ‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. [11] For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

My mind is particularly drawn to the beginning of verse 11, “the life of a creature is in the blood”.  The word that is translated life is the Hebrew word ‘nepes’ which is defined as follows:

1: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion, that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

a. living being

b. living being (with life in the blood)

c. the man himself, self, person or individual

The root of this word means “breath”, and one could almost say that this is the oxygen, for that is what is carried in our blood.  However, clearly there is more than just O2, the Hebrews word encompasses more and includes what we would call the soul/mind/self.  

If we apply this understanding to the words of Jesus, found in John 6, and again those spoken at the Last Supper, we being to appreciate the significance of what Jesus was saying. 

John 6:53-56 NIV:

[53] “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. [56] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”

Jesus is absolutely speaking about His blood in the Hebrew understanding.  If we receive His blood, His life fills us, and give us life!

Matthew 26:26-28 NIV:

[26] “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 

[27] Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Again, we see the understanding from Leviticus, the forgiveness / atonement of the blood sacrifice. Jesus is using terms and conveying concepts that  they understood.  The Lord in His perfect ways had laid out a type and pattern in the Old Testament that would be perfectly fulfilled by Jesus.  He was making a way for His blood to bring forgiveness to all!  In sharing in this, we receive His life, in His words we have eternal (His) life. 

Taking this a bit further, there is an interesting scientific fact that people who receive blood transfusions do receive some of the donators DNA, which stays present for a period of time afterwards.  We literally receive someone else’s DNA or building blocks of their “life”. Here is an interesting article that discusses this reality - 

“Studies have shown that donor DNA in blood transfusion recipients persists for a number of days, sometimes longer, but its presence is unlikely to alter genetic tests significantly. Red blood cells, the primary component in transfusions, have no nucleus and no DNA. Transfused blood does, however, host a significant amount of DNA-containing white blood cells, or leukocytes—around a billion cells per unit (roughly one pint) of blood. Even blood components that have been filtered to remove donor white cells can have millions of leukocytes per unit.

Investigators have detected donor DNA after transfusion with a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that amplifies minuscule amounts of genetic material for detection and identification of specific genes. Studies using PCR to amplify male genes in female recipients of transfusions from male donors have demonstrated that donor DNA endures in recipients for up to seven days. And a study of female trauma patients receiving large transfusions showed the presence of donor leukocytes for up to a year and a half.

All these results, however, were found using very sensitive techniques whereby donor DNA was selectively amplified over the more plentiful recipient DNA. In studies where genes common to both donors and recipients were amplified, the results reflected the dominance of the transfusion recipient’s own DNA, showing the donor’s DNA to be a relatively inconsequential interloper.” (Michelle N. Gong, an assistant professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Sorry, I am a bit of a science geek.  I just find it very interesting that the perspective that there is “life in the blood” is an accurate description.  

Coming full circle, as we look at the invitation Jesus issues to “drink His blood” which is the “Blood of the new covenant”, we understand that we do receive His life!  We received His breath! We receive part of Him!  Additionally, this is the blood that cleanses us or makes atonement for our sins. 

I am reminded of a couple of hymns. 

"Nothing But The Blood of Jesus"

1. What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain:

O precious is the flow

that makes me white as snow;

no other fount I know;

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2 For my pardon this I see:

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my cleansing this my plea:

nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

3 Nothing can for sin atone:

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Naught of good that I have done:

nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

4 This is all my hope and peace:

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my righteousness:

nothing but the blood of Jesus. [Refrain]

"Power in the Blood"

1 Would you be free from the burden of sin?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Would you o'er evil a victory win?

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

Refrain:

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the blood of the Lamb;

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

2 Would you be free from your passion and pride?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide–

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. [Refrain]

3 Would you be whiter, yes brighter than snow?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow–

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. [Refrain]

4 Would you do service for Jesus, your King?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Would you live daily His praises to sing?

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. [Refrain]

Oh Lord, thank You for Your Blood!  Thank You for Your sacrifice!  Thank You for Your Life!  We pray that we are changed, that our very inner self would become like You!  Thank You for giving us Eternal Life!

Amen and Amen!