God is and always has been jealous for His sacramental signs. In ancient Israel He rebuked them for misusing the sacrifices and offerings. His jealousy flared when His people treated such ordinances as ways to buy God off. The vain heart thinks that offering a pure lamb upon the temple altar would put God at arm’s length. God is angry with sin. Quick! Let’s make some sacrifices in order to chase off our God, whom we’ve angered.
These sacrifices, when misread, became a greater damnation upon God’s people. He tells them by the prophets that He never desired rivers of blood. The burnt offerings were meant to be the means of assuring Israel that God had drawn close to them, not the way to get Him off their case. The pagans viewed sacrifices as ways to appease vindictive gods. They didn’t want the gods to come down from their celestial mountains, for then only mischief and heartache would be left in their capricious wake.
But Israel’s God gave these sacrifices for quite an opposite purpose. He gave them as a covenant feast to be enjoyed between a benevolent and merciful King and His beloved and loyal people.
We must not fall into a similar trap. This is a meal. A feast. A supper inaugurated by Christ in the warmth of an upper room with His inner circle. This isn’t a way to keep God happy with You. For if you are in Christ, God rejoices over you. God spreads His banner of love over His elect people.
This is why you must come with certain faith. Draw near. Pull up a seat. Put your elbows on the table. This isn’t fast food. This isn’t a visit to the principle’s office. This is a feast where God speaks to You the steadfast Word. And that Word is Christ, given for You.
So come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ…
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