Just Blood!

I do want to caution anyone who is squeamish - you may not want to read further.

I was reminded today of a friend, Linda. She was an unfortunate victim of a self inflicted injury. While closing the back sliding door to her van, she did not move her hand out of the way. The result was the door slammed on her hand and severed one of the joints on a finger on her left hand. Her immediate concern of course was the pain and then secondly her over whelming thought was "I want my finger whole - put that part on ice!!!"

Her family took her to the local small town emergency room. The doctor on call looked at her hand and assured her that he could stitch up the end and she would be just fine. When she explained that she wanted her whole finger - he shook his head and told her it was not possible - they just did not have the know how, the technology or the Dr. who could do that kind of surgery at that hospital. She looked at him and then asked, "Who can?".

She found out that there was a special hospital in downtown San Francisco that did this type of surgery. She and her husband took the ice chest with her severered digit and headed 2 hours out to San Francisco to the hospital.

She arrived there, was examined by a specialist. He did x-rays and scans on her hand. He evaluated her medical history, took some blood samples and then sat her and her husband down. He explained that yes, he would do their surgery. He also explained that there was less than a 95% chance that the surgery would take - that there would be some drastic measure done that would immobilize her for at least 2 weeks. She signed the waivers and was prepped for surgery.

A couple of days later I heard that she was in desperate need of blood donations for a transfusion. I called her not knowing if I would speak with her or a family member.

Linda picked up the phone. She was glad to hear from me. I asked her about the surgery and the need for blood and here is what she told me.

The digit had been sewn back on to her finger. The surgery had taken 10 hours due to the nature of nerves, tendons, muscles and very small vessels in her finger. She said that there was only one way that her finger could possibly heal. For two weeks, she had to hold her hand over the side of the bed. A hole had been drilled into the end of her finger so that blood could drain through it. The blood dripped through the hole in her finger and over and through the surgically reattached tip. It was the blood actively flowing through her finger that would allow it to heal. Her other arm had a catheter that gave her blood continuously - she received a new pint of blood every four hours.

I don't know about you, but when I heard about this blood treatment - it had some spiritual implications to me. You see, it is only when the Blood flows through us that we are healed, that we are attached to a body, that we have the possibility of reviving dead flesh and having new nerves and feelings begin in our lives.

The difference, Jesus had the surgery on our behalf. He allowed himself to be severed from the Father, had wounds pounded into His hands and feet that allowed His Blood to flow. His blood flowing is what heals us. He transfused His Blood into our dead lives.

You see, with Linda, there was a 95% chance that the surgery would not work. With Jesus, there is a 100% chance that His surgery will work. His Blood, my life, His way. Glorious!!

So, the odds - 100% chance of death without Him - or 100% chance of life with Him. Pretty awesome odds.

As for Linda, the last time I heard, she was getting her nails done - all 10 of them.

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

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

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

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

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

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain