Takes Away and Gives

At this table we are reminded of Job’s faithful saying in reverse order. In Job’s suffering, he testified that the Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. But the statement has a slightly different connotation when the words are reversed. The Lord takes away and gives, blessed be the name of the Lord.

The procedure of the Old Testament sacrifice was striking. The Israelite would bring an offering, identify with the offering by placing their hands on it, and it would be slain. Then, in the case of the peace offering, that sacrifice was turned into food for them. Sin taken away and sustenance given in return. And all of this in the same sacrifice.

So it is with the Lamb slain once for all time. At this feast, we declare that the LORD takes away and gives. By faith, we have laid hold of the Lord and all of our sin has been taken away. And by that same faith, we have laid hold of the Lord and receive Him as bread and wine.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that Christ is half of a sacrifice. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the Great High Priest won’t follow the terms of the covenant sacrifice. He is a Generous Priest. And He is, at the same time, a whole sacrifice.

You have all sorts of needs. And you do not know exactly how the Lord will meet them. But you are promised that He will. And you have seen Him do so time and time again in the past. This sacrament is a gurantee of His provision. If He has given His very self to you as bread, if He has given His very self to you as wine, then surely He will supply you with all that you need. So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.

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