Each year 97% of us do just that, can & don't. Only 3% give blood. That was a commercial I heard on the radio for a Blood drive.

I thought there's a lesson.

I used to give blood regularly, It's been a while. I started because of my boss at the time. Ron more less said they where going to give blood, and I NEEDED to go also. After going it made me feel good that I was helping in some way to help someone I didn't know or may never see.

But as the years went by it started to take longer to give blood. Not the actual giving of blood but all the paper work and red tape involved to prove my blood is good enough to give and save a life. 15 min. turned into 11/2 hrs. Of going from one station to the next. First sign in, then answer all those questions of my personal life and life style. Then to the next station to take my pulse, to the next to check temperature, to the next to reveiw the answers of your life style take your blood pressure and a small sample of blood from your ear lobe to make sure you have enough iron in your blood.

What started as 15min. now was taking longer each time until I lost my focus on WHY I was giving blood, and thought..... IT IS JUST T O MUCH TROUBLE, IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT....

My short 1 1/2 hrs. for someone elses life.

What if YOU was the one that needed the blood? What would you think of me, or the 3%.

Or WORSE "IT IS JUST TO MUCH TROUBLE " was the feeling of Jesus? What if Jesus was  like one of the 97% and chose He didn't care enough to take time to give his blood? Read Luke 22:39-48 39 ¶ And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.47 ¶ And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?(KJV)

Not my will, but thine be done. It was never his desire to be beaten or mistreated but to do the Father will.

2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,13 ¶ And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. (KJV)

Now Judus who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.How often Jesus must of thought of the pain he would suffer not for His fault or guilt but our sins.Verse 12 tells us: 12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

13 ¶ And led him away to Annas first

I used comparison of giving blood & different stations to compare

IT IS NOT WORTH IT was all he had to think.The first of many stations. John 18:19-24.  19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. (KJV)

Here yet another station. Luke 22:63-71  63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth. (KJV)

Matt 26:64-68 adds:  64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? (KJV)

THIS IS JUST TO MUCH TROUBLE! John 19:1-19

1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.16 ¶ Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.19 ¶ And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. (KJV)

Mark 15:16-34  16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.22 ¶ And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.33 ¶ And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (KJV)

John 19:28-37  28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.31 ¶ The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.(KJV)

Mark said it was the 3rd. hour when they crucified our Lord and the 6th. hour darkness came over the whole land until the 9th. hour. 6 hours suffering, dieing on the cross to give his blood for you and me. Plus all the night before going back and forth having to prove what? If his life style and blood was good enough to give life? We know it is good enough to give life, Perfect to give eternal life!

God Know it was John 3:16   16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

God knew it was perfect to give life.

1 John 1:5-7

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin .(KJV)

God knew it was pure enough to remove all sins.  1 Peter  1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (KJV)

Jesus gave his blood for you and me, not because it would be easy for him to do with no pain or suffering. Jesus gave his blood so we could spend eternity in heaven with Him seated at the right hand of God. We are truly blessed to have such a Savior that never thought this is just to much trouble, or that They are just not worth it. Think of what He has given us, his life saving blood, If you have not yet put on Christ in Baptism to receive his life giving blood or need the prayers or help of the church, the opportunity is always yours. Please contact a member of the church of Christ in your area. Romans 16:16 The churches of Christ greet you.