Does the Bible have anything to say about organ donation?

QUESTION:

“Does the Bible have anything to say about organ donation? The question about cremation got me to thinking about that issue?"

RESPONSE:

As it pertains to the types of organ donation that you and I would think about for transplants in the field of medicine, the Bible does not speak of such things. One reason is that such medical practices were not yet available as options in the days the Bible was written. However, the Bible does speak about doing good to others, serving others, considering others as more important than yourself. We can interpret some of what Jesus says about giving His body for others in such a way that He could be viewed as pro-organ donation.

At the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus says these words to His friends that we echo in churches today in preparation for partaking of the bread and cup.

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” --Luke 22:19-20

From one point of view Jesus is saying, “I am becoming an organ donor. In fact, I am also becoming a blood donor. If you want to push the metaphor, I am donating my whole body for the good of mankind and the salvation of those who will receive my body and blood as a sacrifice for their own sinful, decaying, and dying bodies. Receive the gift of a new heart, soul, mind, and strength and receive eternal life in me.”

God speaks of heart transplants in the Old Testament when He speaks of how He will renew Israel when they come back to Him in repentance.

“And when they come here, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord God.” --Ezekiel 11:18-21

Jesus goes on in John 10 to speak of how He lays down His life and in a very real sense, donates His life for the life of those who may be saved when He says these words.

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:17-18

In conclusion, Jesus does not specifically speak of organ donation as we ponder the issue today. The Bible does not explicitly speak for or against organ donation in the manner we consider it in our day and time because it was not an issue in that day due to medical limitations. However, a case can be made that Jesus modeled giving His own life away that others may benefit. God’s desire is that faulty hearts and souls might be made right by receiving healthy hearts and souls that have been made new by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.