Every year I endure the same trauma at my doctor’s office—the drawing of blood.
Why, traumatic? The answer lies in the words of a lab tech during one visit. “Your veins are itty bitty, Mrs. Friday.” Gee…yay for me.
And to add more apprehension, the veins on my arms refuse to come out of hiding. Like a game of hide-and-seek, lab techs armed with needles make several attempts to seek an appropriate candidate—but to no avail. Although I’m already bruised and lightheaded.
Then, the lab employee enlists support from other techs, and sure-fire methods to raise a vein. Such as trying to warm up the vein with heat packs or squeezing a round object with my hand. Any success, now? Nope.
Finally, one brave and innovative gal not only used a butterfly needle—the smallest option—but she also decided to use a visible vein on the top of my hand. She expressed one concern. This particular vein may not yield enough blood.
Drum roll, please. It worked! Hooray!
Ever since that day, I share my tiny-veins-and-hard-to-get-blood story with my lab person. So I kindly ask for a butterfly needle and to stick the vein in my hand. This makes my experience a little more pleasant.
It amazes me what our blood shows about us: type, heart-health, overall health, and often diagnoses a medical condition, disease, or illness. Life is in the blood.
Life in the Blood
Look at what the Lord told Moses:
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11 NIV).
God set up the sacrificial system and Levitical priests. Because only the shedding of blood made atonement for sins. These sacrifices pointed to the coming of Jesus as the ultimate High Priest and final sacrifice for sins as noted in Hebrews.
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12 NIV).
“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:11-12 NIV).
As the ultimate High Priest, Jesus became the final sacrifice and atonement for sins with the shedding of His blood. #Blood #JesusSaves @FridayKaren Click To TweetPower in the Blood
Maybe like me, you remember singing about this power. The bloodshed of Jesus:
- canceled our sin debt
- provided salvation
- purchased eternal life
- reconciled us to God
- recovered everything the enemy stole from us
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV).
The blood of Jesus canceled our sin debt, purchased eternal life, reconciled us to God, and recovered everything the enemy stole from us. #Blood #JesusSaves @FridayKaren Click To TweetPlead the Blood
But let’s not forget our lives right now in the present. Mentors, teachers, and pastors encourage us to plead the blood of Jesus. Or to bring it between us and the enemy. Or as a covering for spiritual warfare in our lives including difficult circumstances and people.
The blood that flowed through Immanuel’s veins spilled out on a cross. It cleanses our sins and gives us new life.
It redeems us, sets us free, and secures our adoption into God’s family.
Oh the saving power of the blood!
@FridayKaren shares how our hearts need triple bypass by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; a transfusion with the blood that never loses its power! Link-up is open. Share your #blog #Blood #RechargeWednesday Click To TweetLINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
In our sanitized world where meat comes in little styrofoam and plastic packages and death happens in slaughter houses for animals and hospitals for people, it takes a concerted effort for us to realize the price of a bloody death. My little cup of grape juice and the broken bread are regular reminders, but I think we still take for granted and gloss over the bloody grace that rescued us.
Blessings to you, Karen!
Michele, your examples are so true and sobering. We often forget the high price of grace and the great redemption power of the blood of Christ!
May we never forget how great a sacrifice He has given and the power of His blood. Thank you for this precious reminder.
Joanne, so thankful the blood of Jesus canceled our sin debt, purchased eternal life, reconciled us to God, and recovered everything the enemy stole from us. Hallelujah!
Karen! My veins are the same way, once someone tried about 18 times before they finally reached a vein…and then same story as you…I now ask for a butterfly needle and to go through the top of my hand! It works! And so does Jesus’ precious blood! Thank you for the time to dwell on His blood today!
18 times? Ouch! Sorry, you’re in the itty-bitty vein club, but glad you also discovered this great solution.
Oh the saving power of the blood!
Amen! Karen, we must not forget what it cost Him to accomplish this for us.
Debbie, the blood that flowed through Immanuel’s veins spilled out on a cross. It cleanses our sins and gives us new life.
It redeems us, sets us free, and secures our adoption into God’s family.
So thankful for the blood!
Wow Karen, you’re veins are worse than mine! I have a similar dilemma though, so next time I will remember the butterfly needle. Just in case my veins are particularly obstinate! I love you how use this to bring out that life is in the blood and all that Christ’s blood has done for us!! Great post!
Hi Sheila, sorry to hear that about your veins. I’m suprised they’ve never tried to butterfly needle on you.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV).
I have the same problem……… one more suggestion……..drink lots of water…… before you go for the draw. I too, have it taken Form my hand with the smallest needle. Thank you for the timely article.
Hey Ellen, so you’re in the club, too. 🙁
And, yes, someone else told me recently about drinking water to stay hydrated and that helps.
Oh, the saving and powerful blood of Jesus that gives us life!
I have blood draw traumas too! Great post.
Lauren, it seems to be more of a common thing that I realized. Glad we can bring the blood of Jesus between us and the enemy!
You’re so right – life is in the blood! Spiritually speaking, life is in His blood. May we never forget the price He paid to accomplish it for us.
That’s right! May we never forget the blood spilled out for us and how it covers us! The blood of Jesus will never lose its power.
Thankfully I haven’t had issues with getting blood drawn, but I’m sorry you have, Karen. It’s crazy when we look at how much significance blood has in the Bible because we know in our lives that it is everything too! Makes for a very visual analogy. I have a cut on my thumb that I keep bumping again and again; I can use it to remind me of the importance of blood and Jesus.
Good for you, Lisa! Glad you have veins I can only dream of. 🙂 But, oh, how thankful I am for the blood that flowed through Jesus veins for me and for you!