During these days of concern over a contagious and dangerous virus I've been thinking of these words from Paul Brand. Several others have published this excerpt but I'm sharing it here so that it might reach more folks. – Gary
Some years ago an epidemic of measles struck Vellore and one of my daughters had a severe attack. We knew she would recover, but our other infant daughter, Estelle, was dangerously vulnerable because of her age. When the pediatrician explained our need for convalescent serum, word went around Vellore that the Brands needed the “blood of an overcomer.” We did not actually use those words, but we called for someone who had contracted measles and had overcome it. Serum from such a person would protect our little girl.
It was no use finding somebody who had conquered chicken pox or had recovered from a broken leg. Such people, albeit healthy, could not give the specific help we needed to overcome measles. We needed someone who had experienced measles and had defeated that disease. We located such a person, withdrew some of his blood, let the cells settle out, and injected the convalescent serum. Equipped with “borrowed” antibodies, our daughter fought off the disease successfully. The serum gave her body enough time to manufacture her own antibodies. She overcome measles not by her own resistance or vitality, but as a result of a battle that had taken place previously within someone else.
There is a sense in which a person’s blood becomes more valuable and potent as that person prevails in numerous battles with outside invaders. After antibodies have locked away the secret of defeating each disease, a second infection of the same type will normally do no harm. A protected person has “wise blood,” to use a term Flannery O’Connor originated. Could this process cast light on the description of Christ being “made perfect through suffering” (Hebrews 2:10)? … “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (2:18).
Today when we partake of Communion wine, it is as though our Lord is saying to us This is my blood, which has been strengthened and prepared for you. This is my life which was lived for you and can now be shared with you. I was tired, frustrated, tempted, abandoned; tomorrow you may feel tired, frustrated, tempted, or abandoned. When you do, you may use my strength and share my spirit. I have overcome the world for you.
– Paul Brand, In His Image
Some years ago an epidemic of measles struck Vellore and one of my daughters had a severe attack. We knew she would recover, but our other infant daughter, Estelle, was dangerously vulnerable because of her age. When the pediatrician explained our need for convalescent serum, word went around Vellore that the Brands needed the “blood of an overcomer.” We did not actually use those words, but we called for someone who had contracted measles and had overcome it. Serum from such a person would protect our little girl.
It was no use finding somebody who had conquered chicken pox or had recovered from a broken leg. Such people, albeit healthy, could not give the specific help we needed to overcome measles. We needed someone who had experienced measles and had defeated that disease. We located such a person, withdrew some of his blood, let the cells settle out, and injected the convalescent serum. Equipped with “borrowed” antibodies, our daughter fought off the disease successfully. The serum gave her body enough time to manufacture her own antibodies. She overcome measles not by her own resistance or vitality, but as a result of a battle that had taken place previously within someone else.
There is a sense in which a person’s blood becomes more valuable and potent as that person prevails in numerous battles with outside invaders. After antibodies have locked away the secret of defeating each disease, a second infection of the same type will normally do no harm. A protected person has “wise blood,” to use a term Flannery O’Connor originated. Could this process cast light on the description of Christ being “made perfect through suffering” (Hebrews 2:10)? … “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (2:18).
Today when we partake of Communion wine, it is as though our Lord is saying to us This is my blood, which has been strengthened and prepared for you. This is my life which was lived for you and can now be shared with you. I was tired, frustrated, tempted, abandoned; tomorrow you may feel tired, frustrated, tempted, or abandoned. When you do, you may use my strength and share my spirit. I have overcome the world for you.
– Paul Brand, In His Image
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