Jesus’ blood

William Harvey (1578-1657) had a problem. The founder of the science of physiology was faced with a reality that didn’t jibe with current thought.

As he carefully studied the circulatory systems of mammals, he found that their valves and veins allowed blood to flow only one way. But since the time of Galen (born about 130 AD), scientist had been convinced that the red stuff flowed back and forth i veins and arteries kind of like ebb and flow of an ocean tide.

Harvey decided to reveal his finding. The revolutionary idea was accepted and it changed the course for scientific study of blood flow in the body. Harvey, a believer in God, said. “Life therefore resides in the blood (as we are informed in the sacred writings).” The sacred writings he was referring to are Leviticus 17:11,14:” The life of a creature is in the blood,... the life of every creature is its blood.

For believers in Jesus, these words carry great significance. God had revealed to Moses that blood was special in his eyes. To atone for sin, He required that thus special substance symbolic of life itself be used. Therefore, the vital fluid of countless lambs, bulls, and other creatures was applied by priests to ancient altars.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed His blood so that our holy God would find us acceptable, “We have now been justified by His blood,” wrote Paul in Romans 5:9. His sacrifice provided the way for people to be saved from their sins.

Praise Jesus right now for the reality that He shed His life giving blood for you-Tom Felten.