Is this a gruesome part of my family tree?

on May 8, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I try to witness to my family whose history is stained with suicide. They tell me to stop talking about the horrific blood of Christ that covers sin. They get angrier when I turn their words around: It’s the precious blood that covers our horrific sins! They walk away in disgust. When they go through hard times, my knees weaken thinking of what measures they might take to rid themselves of their woes. What a gruesome part of my family tree. – S.W.

A: We all have a common origin in Adam. Adam’s blood courses through every human’s veins. The human race suffers from blood poisoning. Blood carries the sentence of death because of Adam’s sin. This powerful poison has been passed down to each generation because all have sinned.

A psychiatrist was interviewed and asked, “Why are there so many suicides?” He answered, “People will do just about anything to get rid of their guilt.” No one has to take such drastic measures. Jesus has already died in our place to cover sin of every kind. He wants us to confess and renounce it, and then live for Him.

The blood of Christ is often ridiculed. People ask, “Jesus never talked about blood, why must Christians?” Jesus not only spoke about blood, He shed His own blood for mankind. Jesus died “once for all” (Romans 6:10, NKJV).

The doctrine of the blood runs throughout the Bible. Peter and Paul preached and wrote about the blood; the redeemed in Heaven will sing about the precious blood of the Savior. In a sense, the Bible is bloodstained because “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV).

Our society celebrates humans who give blood to save human life – just ask a surgeon. How much more did the Savior shed His precious blood for the whole world for our eternal redemption?

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)