Life Is in the Blood

The Jewish culture into which Jesus was born was one of blood sacrifice and of blood covenants. Even today, the modern Jew celebrates events marked by blood: Childbirth, Bris, Yom Kippur, Marriage.

The Torah (the five books of Moses) teaches the Jew that “Life Is in the Blood.” Therefore, it belongs to God alone and is not to be consumed by humans.

However, one day, late in his ministry, Jesus told his disciples and the multitudes who were following him: “Unless you drink my blood and eat my flesh you have no life in you.” This was so offensive to his listeners that the Bible says “many turned back and no longer followed him.”

Later, Jesus would present the cup of wine and the unleavened bread of the Passover Seder as representative of that very thing. The scripture says that he took the cup and said, “This is my blood.” The bread and said, “This is my body. Do this and remember me.”

- What is the appeal of the vampire?
- Do you ever feel like Peter, wondering if there is another way to eternal life?
- (Asked by Dr. Paul Brand:) “If Jesus had been born in the twentieth century, would he have chosen the image of transfusion for his forgiveness, love, and healing?”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 9:26 pm and is filed under Continuing Conversation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.