Power of the Blood

 I am of the firm opinion that just as humanity reflects our Creator, the creation also has characteristics that can inform us about our Creator. Lately I've been thinking about blood. It is essential to our spiritual and physical lives. The very first time God used it to cover our sin was when He slaughtered an innocent animal to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. In Exodus 24:1-8 the first covenant between God and Israel was signified by blood. In the new covenant, it is Jesus's blood on the cross that supplies a new sacrifice on our behalf what the book of Hebrews calls a more perfect offering.

The primary function of blood in the body is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to, and remove wastes from, the body's cells; but that is only the beginning. The specific functions of blood also include defense, and maintenance of homeostasis, such as distributing heat where it is needed.

Before we get into the functions let's look at the composition of blood.

Figure 18.1.2 Major Blood Components

Blood is mostly plasma and plasma is mostly water. There is that living water again. Inside the plasma are red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other proteins. Let's look at Red Blood Cells first. RBCs are unique cells that lose their nuclei so that they can carry iron which lets oxygen attach to the RBCs. 

 

One function of RBCs is to identify us. On the RBCS are proteins that identify our blood types. Once we are saved, Jesus's blood also identifies us as belonging to our Savior. In addition to identification, RBCs carry oxygen. When we become Christians God puts the Holy Spirit inside us the pneuma. Literally, as blood circulates throughout our entire body it takes the breath of God to every corner of our bodies, His temple. Just as God's Shekinah glory inhabited the temple of the Old Testament His spirit inhabits us His new temple.

 

Blood also carries antibodies, white blood cells and platelets. The first two are part of our immune system and they protect us from infection, just like repentance and

our spiritual armor protect us from Satan. Platelets stop us from bleeding out when a blood vessel is injured. A spiritual equivalent is repentance which restores our spiritual condition much like platelets repair our blood vessels.

Lets go back to the functions of blood. The first role is transportation. Oxygen and nutrients are carried to every cell in our body and CO2 and wastes are carried away, Jesus's blood gives new life to our spirits and covers us from all of our waste, our sins.

 

We have already referenced the immune system so lets talk about homeostasis. I actually prefer the term dynamic equilibrium, but both reference the balance of our metabolism. A good metabolism has ups and downs but it is consistent. It always looks the same. When God looks at us because we are covered by Jesus's blood we always look the same. Covered, cleansed, redeemed.

 

The final function of the blood is as part of the temperature regulating system. When we get hot our cardiovascular system sends blood to the surface. We flush red and heat is transferred to the air. When we are cold we grow pale because blood is redirected to our core to protect the temperature of our key organs. Literally our fire or passion for Christ is carried in our blood.

What do blood diseases tell us? One of the most common blood diseases is anemia. In one type of anemia our blood does not have enough iron so oxygen cannot bind to the RBCs. Can you think of Christians who are deficient in their pneuma? Another type doesn't have enough RBCS. Do you know Christians that are hard to identify as Christians?

As much as blood is essential to a healthy body it also represents what is necessary for a healthy spirit. Jesus's death on the cross gave us a whole body transfusion. It makes us related and it makes us saved. As the old hymn says, "There is power in the blood."