I’m a universal donor –

Last year I received a thank you letter from Bonfils Blood Center along with a congratulations pin for donating and reaching the five-gallon mark as a donor.  The all-time highest donor has donated year after year totaling 90 gallons to help save lives.

I’m a universal donor of type O- blood.  Any blood type can receive my blood without complications.  Only 6.9% of the population has O- blood.  When my appointment time comes, Bonfils is faithful to give me a reminder call.  New donors of all blood types are welcome.

The procedure is simple:

Personal questions are asked to safeguard the quality of the donation.

Pulse, blood pressure and temperature are taken.

A finger is pricked to check the hemoglobin level for the red blood cell count.

If all qualifications are met – off to a comfortable chair.   The arm is sterilized before poked with a rather large needle.  A pint donation of whole blood for the complete procedure takes about an hour.

The staff thanks the donor after every procedure.  After the blood is drawn resting for 15 minutes is advised and refreshments are provided.

The physical benefits of the recipients who receive the donation are life changing.

The plasma portion is beneficial for sever burns and clotting disorders.

The platelets for blood clotting support cancer therapy, open-heart surgery blood disorders and organ transplants patients.

The red blood cells carry oxygen and beneficial for trauma, anemia and surgery patients.

Such a small sacrifice for the physical benefits of others.  But…

There is only One Who qualifies as The Universal Donor for the eternal, life changing, spiritual benefit of others, Christ Jesus alone –

The procedure was not simple:

It started in the garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus prayed three times, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”  Mark 14:36  NIV

He was betrayed, arrested and blindfolded.  While in custody through the night he was scoffed, ridiculed and beaten.

The interrogating questions pulsed, the blood pressure and temperature of  the Sanhedrin escalated in a mock trial.  They asked Jesus, under oath by the Living God, if He was the Messiah – the Son of God.  In Truth He answered, “I AM.”

No guilt was found in Him.  But, the chief priests, rulers and the people shouted out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

Crucifixion was Rome’s most agonizing and disgusting death a cruel age could devise.

The giving of Christ’s blood was met with Roman soldiers beating, slapping and spitting upon Him.  Blood flowed from his head and face as they placed the crown of thorns.

He was scourged with a flagellum. A whip designed to lacerate. Several strands were weighted with lead balls or pieces of bone.  The weighted strands struck the skin so violently it broke open.

His hands and feet pierced through and broken as the arm of a Roman soldier holding an iron hammer above his head crashed down on the spike, iron hitting iron.

We can never understand such shedding of blood or the broken heart of Jesus over a sinful world.  The awful mystery of the atonement, why it had to be.

The eternal benefits of the recipients for the atonement (reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus Christ – forgiveness of sins) are life changing.

No small sacrifice given to mankind, something we cannot do for ourselves.

Above all – a gift freely given for all who accept and invite Christ into their hearts.

Don’t wait, there is reason to celebrate!

God bless you.