Last week, Scott & White Hospital had their blood mobile set up in our parking lot. Many people came on this day to donate blood. They wanted to have about 20 and had over thirty. Way to go Cherokee!

The poster that was made for the occasion stated, "Give the gift of life." If you have ever been in the hospital and needed blood, you should appreciate those who are willing to do this. If you need transfusions then you are glad that someone cared enough to give. I, personally, have had surgery in the past and have needed to have blood. I have been thankful for those who donate.

Moses tells us in Leviticus 17:11, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood…" When the heart does not pump blood through the body, the body dies. Life is in the blood. Every cell in the body gets it’s nutrients from blood. Blood, then, truly is the gift of life—to sustain life. So, when one gives blood, they are able to help someone exist in this world.

Let’s go back almost 2,000 years to Jerusalem. It is a busy time and a busy place. It’s the time of the Passover for the Jews and many visitors who have made the journey to worship God. There is a man being accused of crimes, and is being tried. The mob clamors for his death. He is taken outside the city and nailed, literally, to a cross. He dies. There is no life in his body. A soldier standing nearby pierces his side, and blood and water come pouring out. He is taken from the cross by friends and buried.

After three days he rises from the tomb that he was placed in and Jesus lives and reigns forever. It was his blood that was shed for us that gives us life. This is not a physical life but a spiritual one that he offers to all people. Paul tells us in Acts 20:28, "...which he purchased with his own blood." Paul informed the Roman church, "much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him" (Rom. 5:9 NASB).

Today, any person who obeys Christ as taught in the New Testament, can receive salvation of their soul because of the blood Jesus shed at the cross. Have you taken advantage of this? Today would be the perfect day!