Blood donation is one of the many requests made of each of us in order to help out those who are in the midst of an emergency. In many cases, the life saving work of a surgery or other procedure would be impossible without donated blood, especially for those with rare blood types. Because of this need, groups exist to collect donated blood and systems are in place to assure that it is distributed to those who need it.
There is an expression that is commonly used, saying that someone “has the weight of the world on their shoulders.” This expression conveys the idea of someone so weighed down with great concerns it is an almost overwhelming burden. It is possible that this expression came from the ancient Greek mythological story of Atlas, who (depending on the account) was bound to carry the world, the sky, or the heavens on his shoulders.
The story of Cain and Abel is one of the very first tragedies to befall humankind – the kind of story that playwrights and novelists can only emulate. The murder of one’s own brother is such an onerous idea that the story is well remembered as a showcase of where unrestrained jealousy leads. But the original cause of jealousy is, according to the Bible text, wrapped up in God’s regard for Abel’s offering and God’s disregard for Cain’s. What exactly was wrong with Cain’s offering to God?
and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:24 (NASU)
In Genesis Chapter 4 we find the story of Cain and Abel. This story is full of many lessons, such as: the importance of offering the “best”; the quarrels which can exist between brothers; and the great danger and evil outcomes of envy and jealousy.
For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:4 (NASU)
In Hebrews Chapter 10, the Hebrew writer definitively explains that the sacrifice of Christ is better than the sacrifices of old because of the power of the sacrifice in Christ alone.