Toward the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, J. R. R. Tolkien’s first book in his Lord of the Rings masterpiece, Gandalf faced a monster in the mines of Moria to stop its advance upon his friends. “You cannot pass!” was Gandalf’s bold declaration… spoken with the authority God gives His children against the enemy. The resulting struggle caused both the monster and Gandalf to fall into the abyss. The eight remaining members of the Fellowship were overwhelmed with sorrow at the loss of their leader.
In The Two Towers, the second book of the trilogy, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas were shocked beyond belief in the dreaded Fangorn Forest when a shining figure revealed himself as the friend they thought had perished. Gandalf had survived the fall and defeated his foe. He declared, “I have passed through fire and deep water, since we parted. I have forgotten much I thought I knew, and learned again much that I had forgotten.”
I told Susan that it seems God knows that every few years I need to be shut away in the hospital for a couple of weeks. He teaches me best when my full attention is on Him with the sure understanding that He alone is the Sovereign Lord who holds everything in His hands.
One night of chills and fevers, I opened my eyes to see that I was receiving an infusion of red blood cells, which supply oxygen to the body and give us energy. My immediate reaction was to raise one arm and say, “Thank you for the blood!” (Anyone who has experienced the boost of energy from receiving blood can relate.)
“I learned again much that I had forgotten.” Despite having a blood disease… and despite being reminded of blood’s importance every time I visit the doctor… and despite participating in Communion every Sunday… I tend to forget.
“Thank you for the blood,” triggered every good thought of what Jesus has done for me. He gave His blood… to cover my sins. “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22) The life of the innocent Lamb of God was willingly laid down for our wrongdoing. Jesus’ blood cleanses us… and this gift should never be forgotten.
“Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” Matthew 26:27-28
“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” I John 1:7
(Quote from The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien, ©1954, p 98)