BITS and PIECES
287th Edition – March 22, 2026
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
LESSONS FROM BLOOD
In the human body “the life of the flesh is in the blood” [Leviticus 17:11]. That blood coursing in our veins consists mainly of three vital substances – Erythrocytes (red cells), Leukocytes (white cells), and Thrombocytes (Platelets).
Red cells are positive in the sense that they carry oxygen and other essential nutrients to all parts of the body. They are by far the most numerous. White cells are more negative in that they fight against the invasion of infection. The platelet’s job is primarily to close open wounds to prevent loss of the life-giving blood.
The composition of blood serves as an illustration of the ministry of the church. There is primarily the life-giving message of the Gospel to be presented to a dying world. This is the red cell ministry and is the church’s primary function.
There is also a battle to be fought against spiritual infection. Like the white cells there is need, especially in this apostate age, to sound the alarm. False doctrine, immorality, worldliness, outright sin must be resisted when they invade the body of the church.
Then there are devilish wounds where, by minor and major divisions, Satan would love to have the church’s life blood ebb away. That is when a platelet-like ministry is needed to close the open wounds.
Notice that the human body does not enclose infection but repels it. Sadly, the church sometimes, to appear whole, closes the ranks and covers over the infection within. Thus, the body is not healed but putrefies. Hence, the church succumbs to the devil’s fiery darts.
THE SACREDNESS OF BLOOD
Blood is an amazing fluid. All bodily cells are static except blood. We have about 8 to 10 pints of it and it circulates every minute. A 10oz. heart pumps 1800 gallons daily to every part
of the body. All the arteries, veins, and capillaries laid end to end would stretch 2.5 times around the world. One drop of blood contains 250 million cells, and in the time it takes to say ‘blood’, the body would make three million red cells. Well did the Psalmist say, “ I am fearfully and wonderfully made” [Psalm 138:14].
The sacredness of life explained. The blood is the life of all flesh. [Leviticus 17:11]. When the blood stops circulating, you are dead. It is strange that chemically the body is the same one second after death, but life has gone. Life is sacred, and we are told that murder is forbidden [Genesis 9:4]. Why? Because we are made in the “image of God” [Genesis 9:4], and it is a serious sin to rip up God’s photograph.
Blood cries from the ground [Genesis 4:10], and God hears. He has heard from murderers and abortionists. There will be pay day eventually.
The origin of humanity revealed. This world contains about eight billion people. Like snowflakes, each one is different. There are tall and short, large and small, all with different colours. It leads to the question, where do they all come from?
The Bible tells us that God made them from one blood. “God hath made of one blood all nations of men” [Acts 17:26]. Dr. DeHaan said that humanity is suffering from a severe case of ‘blood poisoning.’ All are sinners and “come short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23].
The salvation of sinners typified. The blood sacrifice takes us back to the Old Testament, where an innocent lamb died to set the people free from the punishment of their sin. This was a picture of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. This was why John the Baptist pointed to Jesus with the words, “Behold the Lamb of God” [John 1:19].
A BLOOD-STAINED GOSPEL
We have a Blood-stained church, purchased with the blood of God’s Son. We read a Blood-stained Book. Prick the Bible anywhere, and the crimson tide of the sacrificial Lamb flows. We are going to a Blood-stained Heaven into which the Saviour entered with His precious blood [Hebrews 12:2424]. The redeemed sing a Blood-stained song to the glory of God [Revelation 15:3]. Our only hope is in the sacrificial blood of Christ.
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” [I John 1:7].
