DEVOTION / Better than chicken blood
In the 1950s and 1960s, many people in China were injected with chicken blood each week. This pseudo-therapy purported to cure high blood pressure, paralysis, athlete's foot, hemorrhoids, persistent cough, and the common cold. The practice is now revived in China by parents who believe that chicken blood therapy will empower their children to excel in school.
Unfortunately, chicken blood injections don't provide any health benefits. However, they may create illnesses. It's the wrong solution to physical and educational problems.
Solomon observed long ago, There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25).
His proverb finds its most profound truth when applied to the problems that sin causes between human beings and their creator.
Since Adam and Eve left Eden, humans have asked, How do we bridge the gap between us imperfect people and the perfect God? There has been no shortage of "chicken blood" solutions:
Sacrifice animals -- sometimes humans -- to God.
Pray for extended periods of time.
Deny yourself food, shelter, friendship.
Conquer other lands in the name of God.
Meditate.
Earn God's favor by dedicating yourself to whatever you think will please him.
These are all solutions that appear right to human beings, but in the end, they lead to death.
The reason? These solutions depend on sinful human beings to cure themselves of their own imperfections.
Do you remember how Doctor Jesus insisted that it is impossible for human beings to cure themselves of their sinfulness? Then, he declared, there is a way for humans to be right with God. What is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27, also Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27).
Jesus is responsible for making the impossible possible. For although all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, … all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23,24).
We don't need chicken blood to make our lives better. We need the blood of the Savior, the blood that heals all your diseases … and crowns you with love and compassion (Psalm103:3,4).
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken-blood_therapy
http://www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/articles.php?searchterm=025_blood.inc&issue=025